Former West Brom player Richard Chaplow banned over 'gay slur'
Former Albion star Richard Chaplow has been suspended for abusing a gay player during a match.
Chaplow, who now plays in America, admitted using 'profane language' but denied he had used a homophobic slur against opposition player Robbie Rogers, who is openly gay.
The 31-year-old midfielder played 44 times for Albion between 2005 and 2008 after being snapped up from Burnley. He later played for Preston and Southampton.
Chaplow was suspended for two games and fined by his club Orange County Blues. But the club said it had found 'no compelling evidence' to back up the allegations from Rogers.
Chaplow said: "I have a family member that is part of the LGBT community. I fully understand the weight and pressures it brings.
"I would like to sincerely apologise to anyone who was offended by the profane language I used on the pitch in response to what I felt was an overreaction to a tackle. This was obviously not the correct way to represent myself or the club."
