Lee Bowyer and Johnathon Woodgate have been charged with GBH (grevious bodily harm) in the attack of a 19 year old Asian university student in Leeds outside a nightclub. The victim had serious head injuries, a broken nose and a broken leg.

The FA have said that neither player will be allowed to play for England seniors or U21 until the case is finished (could be around 8 months).

In my opinion, the fact that both players have been charged with such a serious, and most importantly racially motivated attack, means that they should be suspended FROM ALL PLAY until after the court case. In fact I find it disgusting that the Leeds chairman has said that both will be allowed to play in Leeds' next game.

If the FA wants to 'kick out racism' they have to start here, and suspend these two morons (especially that smackhead Bowyer) until the case is solved.

What do you guys think? Should the FA suspend two players charged with a racially motivating attack that was almost fatal?

As a long time Leeds supporter I have to agree with Neutral they probably should be suspended from this day. It really is a shame because the pair in question are, without doubt 2 of the top dozen or so young players in the country at this time and this incident could seriously damage their careers (as it should if they are guilty of an attack, racist or otherwise). But, We still don't know the full story so we'll have to wait and see what happens.

I must say, I am really dissapointed

Tony Mead

I agree with you, a person charged with assault that is this serious should be suspended, but why do we have to wait for Leeds to act? Why can't the EPL step in and suspend them?

I am speechless.....

How do they know the attack was racially motivated? I am very dissapointed in hearing this because I am a big Leeds fan and I was wanting them to win the title. Now they have two players with bad reps and they will be damaged not only by the crime but the ridicule of the fans. I for one think that the whole situation sucks arse!

I'm absolutely stunned that they'd get involved with this sort of thing, being two of the best young footballers we've produced in nearly a decade (Woodgate in particular is up there with Campbell as one of the best defenders since the Arsenal back four hit their thirties). I think that the Premier League and/or FA should act now and suspend them from from any footballing activity until the case comes to trial, and if they are found guilty, the only thing the FA can do is to give them both life bans.

Lets not forget Tony Hackworth, who is the other Leeds player involved in this - name may only be familiar to the Championship Manager fanatics who know the name of every player in every squad in the Premiership, but just because he is not an international doesn't mean he should be treated differently. If the verdict is guilty, they should never be allowed to play pro football again.

And most importantly, what the hell kind of example does this send out to the seven year old kids from Leeds who have idolised these two? If the club allows them to play on, they are in effect condoning racially-motivated crime, and the players themselves are promoting it every time they play. Peter Ridsdale needs to have an urgent re-think.

"Now they have two players with bad reps and they will be damaged not only by the crime but the ridicule of the fans"

The players and their reputations being damaged?!?! What about the poor guy who almost got killed? Do you think he cares about their reputation after having the sh*t kicked out of him?

This is unbelievable - both players played tonight in Europe and Bowyer scored - where's the media uproar? Where's the concern from the FA?

I guess I understand, it's a bigger issue that Beckham wears his wife's underwear than these two players have been charged with GBH.
Regardless of the outcome, what message does this send to youngsters? -> if you're a football star you can do anything, and it's perfectly ok to beat up a packi.

Absolutely rediculous. I wonder if both were charged with murder would they still be playing. And if not, where is the line drawn - should the FA come up with a list of tolerance

a)Murder or Rape - Suspension
b)GBH - No suspension
c)Wearing wife's underwear - Media Uproar

If you think I'm overreacting look at the NFL - they suspended two of their players who were in connection with serious offences. And if you want the ultimate hypothetical situation, what about this - what if OJ Simpson had of still been playing american football when his ex-wife was murdered and he was charged - do you think it would have been o.k. for him to play? I mean come on, as Peter Risdale said; 'It's innocent until proven guilty'....would you agree in that situation....

yeah, I thought not...

[This message has been edited by Neutral (edited 03-16-2000).]

Peter Risdale has said that if they are charged they will be sacked from the club