Football Association Charges 19-Year-Old West Ham Midfielder Ravel Morrison Over Alleged Anti-Gay Tweet

In the United Kingdom, West Ham midfielder Ravel Morrison has been charged by the Football Association over an alleged homophobic remark on Twitter. The Telegraph reports that the 19-year-old, who moved to Upton Park from Manchester United on transfer deadline day, is reported to have made the comment in response to another Twitter user. The FA wrote to Morrison last week for his observations on the matter and have now formally charged him. A statement on the FA website read: ''West Ham United's Ravel Morrison has been charged under FA Rule E3 for use of abusive and/or insulting words including a reference to a person's sexual orientation.'' The teenage midfielder was signed to the club on January 31 for three and a half years but is yet to make an appearance on the pitch after the violently-worded message. The message on 19-year-old Morrison’s account reportedly read: “Crack head? Go suck out u little faggot your a guy that talks if u see me you try slap me I’m in manchester every week.” He is alleged to have been responding to a racist tweet directed at him which said he was addicted to crack. The FA said: “West Ham United’s Ravel Morrison has been charged under FA Rule E3 for use of abusive and/or insulting words including a reference to a person’s sexual orientation. Morrison has until 4pm on 17 February 2012 to respond to the charge.” In early 2011, Morrison was ordered to pay £1,445 in costs and compensation after admitting two counts of witness intimidation. The incident marks an inauspicious start to Morrison's West Ham career after he was also involved in various off-field controversies while at Old Trafford. Manchester United allowed the teenager to leave despite him being rated as one of the finest prospects to come out of the club in recent years.