Referee observer banned for discriminatory comments

A Pro Ref referee observer has been suspended for nine weeks and fined £200 for making discriminatory remarks after a match he was working at.

Brian Curson had visited Kenilworth Road to assess the officials at the League One fixture between Luton Town and Rotherham United on 15 November 2025.

An allegation was made that Curson made two discriminatory comments in the lounge at Luton's stadium after the game, which led to the Football Association investigation.

Curson was charged with acting in an improper manner and/or using abusive and/or insulting words.

It was considered an 'aggravated breach', using words which included a reference - whether express or implied - to ethnic origin, race or nationality.