Sunday 28 June 2026

Former EFL player handed 11-match ban for 'very serious' racist abuse and has contract ripped up

Aidan Magee discusses 'Spygate' that rocked the Championship

Callum Vurley

By Callum Vurley


Published: 25/06/2026

- 19:20

Updated: 25/06/2026

- 19:23

Watford released Pierre Dwomoh as a result of the findings

Pierre Dwomoh, the former Watford midfielder, has been handed an 11-match suspension by the Football Association following racist abuse directed at a teammate of Indian heritage.

An independent commission determined that the 22-year-old Belgian was guilty of conduct deemed "very serious" and "completely unacceptable" after targeting an Under-21 player with discriminatory remarks on two occasions last autumn.


The Championship club has now terminated Dwomoh's contract and expressed full support for the disciplinary outcome.

Watford confirmed to the Watford Observer that they back the investigation's findings and have parted ways with the player.

Pierre Dwomoh, the former Watford midfielder, has been handed an 11-match suspension by the FA

Pierre Dwomoh, the former Watford midfielder, has been handed an 11-match suspension by the FA

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GETTY

The midfielder had already indicated his departure from Vicarage Road via social media in April, coinciding with the date to which his ban has been backdated.

The abuse occurred during pre-match warm-ups at Watford's London Colney training ground ahead of Under-21 fixtures against Swansea City on 27 October 2025 and Colchester United on 4 November 2025.

Before the Swansea encounter, Dwomoh questioned the victim about his ethnicity, asking whether he was "black like me or are you light-skinned". When the player responded that he was brown, Dwomoh stated: "Brown is not a colour."

During his FA interview, the midfielder maintained that "brown people don't exist, I think. It's light-skinned or black."

Prior to the Colchester match, Dwomoh approached the same teammate and asked: "How's your corner shops?" The commission noted this was delivered "with a smirk on his face" in "a joking tone".

Pierre Dwomoh said "brown people don't exist" and asked "how's your cornershops"

Pierre Dwomoh said "brown people don't exist" and asked "how's your cornershops"

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GETTY

Dwomoh described the exchanges as "just a joke, two jokes" during his interview with the governing body.

The commission's findings revealed that Dwomoh "did not immediately accept responsibility or remorse but sought to put pressure on Player A to retract" his allegations.

He eventually pleaded guilty to both charges and apologised for his actions.

The emotional toll on the victim was significant. Alisdair Walker, Watford's lead sports scientist, overheard the corner shop remark and observed that Player A appeared "bewildered" and "did not seem himself" afterwards.

Following the Colchester fixture, the young player met with academy head Rebecca McDermott and safeguarding staff member Nathan Masters.

Upon learning they were aware of what had happened, he broke down in tears and became emotional again while explaining the situation to his parents on the journey home.

Watford revealed they have released the player after the findings

Watford revealed they have released the player after the findings

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GETTY

Dwomoh was also ordered to pay a £2,500 fine and must complete a compulsory face-to-face education programme by 9 August 2026.

The FA had sought a harsher penalty, appealing to have the suspension extended to 16 matches to reflect the two separate incidents. However, the Appeal Board rejected this request, ruling that the 11-game ban represented a proportionate "global sanction for the course of conduct identified".

The suspension prevents Dwomoh from participating in domestic football until Watford have completed 11 Category 2 Under-21 fixtures, backdated to 9 April 2026.

Reports indicate the midfielder is close to finalising a move to a Turkish club. Questions remain over whether the English ban would apply to football played abroad.

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