A football match observer has been suspended for nine weeks and fined £200 after making discriminatory comments about spectators during a meeting at Luton Town’s Kenilworth Road stadium before a League One fixture against Rotherham United last season.
Brian Curson, who was working as a Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO) match observer for the game on 15 November 2025, was found guilty of an aggravated breach of Football Association Rule E3 following an independent Regulatory Commission hearing.
The commission’s written reasons reveal that Curson made two comments about spectators which it concluded amounted to stereotyping based on ethnic origin and/or nationality.
The FA’s charge alleged that Curson had acted improperly and used abusive and/or insulting words, with the aggravated element relating to references to ethnic origin, race and/or nationality.
In its findings, the commission stated: “On any objective analysis the comments amounted to stereotyping and were clearly improper. Furthermore, as the stereotyping related to ethnic origin and/or nationality, the comments clearly met the threshold for an aggravated breach.”
Curson denied the charge but the commission found it proven on the balance of probabilities.
The written reasons explain that four witnesses provided consistent evidence about the comments, which were made during a conversation in the lounge at Kenilworth Road.
The discussion had included a trip to Japan and China, with the commission finding that Curson had made a comment about spectators looking the same, followed by another about their height.
The commission said: “This was not simply a case of a single comment. BC [Curson] had made two discriminatory comments about spectators, each demonstrating stereotypical assumptions based on ethnic origin/nationality.”
Curson told the FA during its investigation that he could not recall making the comments and would not intentionally have said anything of that nature.
He said he had completed discrimination training, had been involved in football for more than 40 years and had never experienced any previous issues during his work in the game.
The commission acknowledged several mitigating factors, including his clean disciplinary record, co-operation with the investigation and a positive character reference.
However, it was concerned that he had continued to deny the allegations despite the consistent evidence from four witnesses.
The commission also highlighted his position as an experienced match observer, saying his role within football and the fact he had received Kick It Out training were aggravating factors.
It concluded that a nine-week suspension was appropriate, although it noted there was no suggestion the behaviour would be repeated.
Curson has been suspended from all football and football-related activity with immediate effect for nine weeks. Alongside the ban and the fine he must complete a mandatory education programme and has been warned about his future conduct.
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