Middlesbrough Player Charged By FA Over Tweet When He Was 14-Years-Old For 'Aggravated' Misconduct'

Middlesbrough defender Marc Bola has been charged by the Football Association for a tweet he sent when he was just 14-years-old, nearly 10 years ago.

Bola has been charged with 'aggravated' misconduct for a social media post from 2012, when he was still just a teenager.

The post, from the 23-year-old left back, who has played five times in the Championship so far this season, is said to have included a 'reference to sexual orientation.'

A statement by the FA said, "Middlesbrough FC's Marc Bola has been charged with a misconduct for a breach of FA Rule E3 in relation to a social media post on April 14, 2012.

"It is alleged that this post is insulting and/or abusive and/or improper and/or brought the game into disrepute contrary to FA Rule E3.1.

"It is further alleged that this post constitutes an 'aggravated breach' which is defined in FA Rule E3.2, as it included a reference to sexual orientation.

"The defender has until September 20, 2021 to provide his response to this charge."

Understandably fans aren't happy at the news that the player has been charged.

Bola started life as a footballer in Arsenal's academy, though he never played any senior games for the north London club, and had moves on loan to Notts County and Bristol Rovers.

He signed for Blackpool in 2018, after the Gunners released him, and one season in League One was enough to earn him a move to Boro.

Last season he became a first team regular at the Riverside Stadium and has started all but one league game for Neil Warnock's team at the beginning of this campaign.

There is precedent with players being punished for old tweets. West Ham forward Jarrod Bowen was charged for a tweet written when he was 15 which contained a racist term.

The 24-year-old apologised for his post but was given an official warning by the FA and told to take an educational course.