CASEY STONEY could face an FA misconduct charge having been forced to apologise for a “schizophrenia” comment over US footballer Jaelene Hinkle.
The Manchester United women’s manager said she was “deeply sorry” for how she described the defender’s views on homosexuality.
During a break in commentary at half-time of England‘s 3-2 win over the Czech Republic on Tuesday, she was overheard saying that she would “refuse to play in the same team” as Colorado-born Hinkle, who pulled out of a US squad in 2017 because she refused to wear a shirt honouring LGBT+ Pride Month.
But it was her claim that her views denoted the mental illness that prompted the condemnation of Stoney.
Mental health charity Time to Change warned: “Schizophrenia is a real and debilitating condition.
“Mental health is not a joke.”
Stoney, who is gay, was in conversation with Robyn Cowen when the commentator brought up Hinkle’s argument that God had told her to turn down the international call.
Cowen described that excuse as “nuts” but Stoney added: “Mate, that’s called schizophrenia.
“God told me to do it – of course he did.
“Voices in your head’s never a good thing, love. How do people get like that?”
Stoney has now apologised, conceding: “The comments made during this conversation were totally wrong and have caused offence.
“For this I am deeply sorry. I respect everyone’s views and reject all forms of discrimination.”
Stoney, 37, could now face an FA misconduct charge as her club United stated: “As a club committed to equality and diversity Manchester United recognises that Casey’s comments were not acceptable and we will be making this clear to her.”
And Time to Change director Jo Loughran insisted: “Mental health problems are not a joke.
“Schizophrenia affects around 1 in 100 people in the UK and schizophrenia, and associated symptoms such as hearing voices, remain largely misunderstood and heavily stigmatised. Using the condition to trade insults only serves to fuel common misconceptions and stereotypes.”
