Reading’s assistant kit manager Richard Vaughan has admitted that referee Matt Corlett used homophobic abuse during the 2-0 defeat to Huddersfield in League One in August.
Reading FC have released a statement regarding the incident (Image: Lee Parker/Getty Images)
Reading’s assistant kit manager has been banned from the stadium for six games, fined £200 and sent to school for yelling a vile homophobic slur at a referee. Richard Bourne admitted charges stemming from a League One match in August.
On August 9, Bourne was charged by the FA with “inappropriate behavior and/or insulting and/or abusive language towards a referee” following an incident in the 40th minute of Reading’s 2-0 defeat to Huddersfield. Bourne overheard a fourth umpire say about umpire Matt Corlett, “He should be in the National League. He did a terrible job getting to this level.”
He admitted the charges but did not offer a defense at the hearing.
“The club respects and supports the outcome of the regulatory committee’s process and recognizes the importance of maintaining the highest standards of conduct within the game,” Reading said in a statement.
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“Richard accepts responsibility for his actions and will abide by the sanctions imposed. Throughout this period, the club will support Richard in undertaking the necessary educational programs and rehabilitation, with a focus on learning, responsibility and personal development.”
Bourne has been Reading’s assistant kitman since January 2023, having previously held similar roles at Colchester United, Wealdstone and Chesham United.
Corlett’s statement to the FA said: “The first time I became aware of the alleged homophobic comments was in the referee’s changing room after the game. The RFC’s head of safety, whom I know as ‘Dave’, came into our room and was talking to HB (fourth official Harrison Blair).”
Richard Bone (third from left, white jacket) admitted the charge (Image: X/@rich_bone72)
“I overheard them talking and one of them said, ‘Words used in the incident before half-time,’ and I interrupted and said, ‘Sorry, guys, what are you talking about here?’ Just before time, I reported hearing someone from the RFC staff team who was standing right behind him in front of the tunnel say to me, “He should be in the National League. He’s been sucking dick to get to this level.”
“It was Dave who confirmed the identity of the man who made the alleged comment as Richard Bourne. The RB was not listed on the RFC team sheet so he should not have been positioned by the tunnel anyway, and even if he was listed on the team sheet he should not have been in the technical area itself and standing behind the HB.”
“I took notes of the exact words HB gave me. I’m 90% sure Dave took notes too. I provided a photo of the notes I made. My two assistants, Andrew Bennett and Greg Reid, were also in the locker room when I received the report from HB and Dave.
“After HB finished relaying what happened, we confirmed that we would report this given the homophobic nature of the comments and the fact that incidents of this nature should be brought to the attention of the necessary departments and individuals.”
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