Bolton Wanderers striker Dion Charles has been warned over his future conduct after breaching FA rules following historic social media posts.
Wanderers striker Charles issued an apology in early January over allegedly homophobic and racist comments made on Twitter which date back to between 2011 and 2013, when the former Accrington striker was a teenager and came to light once again on the social media platform.
Following an investigation by the FA, the punishment that Charles has received has been confirmed and he has been warned over his future conduct and been told to attend an education programme as a result.
READ MORE: Injury latest on Bolton's Ricardo Santos, Dapo Afolayan & Kyle Dempsey ahead of Sheffield Wednesday
The striker has not received a fine or been banned for any matches as a result of the punishment, which has been imposed by an independent Regulatory Commission.
A statement from Wanderers read: "The FA have confirmed the sanctions imposed against Wanderers’ forward Dion Charles following a breach of rules relating to historic tweets.
"Charles has been warned as to his future conduct and ordered to attend a mandatory face-to-face education programme.
"The 26-year-old – who was charged after joining Wanderers in January – admitted that the comments posted several years ago were contrary to FA rules E3.1 and E3.2.
"The sanctions were imposed by an independent Regulatory Commission.
"Charles previously apologised for his actions and in February attended an anti-discrimination event for local schoolchilden hosted by Bolton Wanderers in the Community and ant-racism charity Show Racism the Red Card."
A statement from the FA read: "Dion Charles has been ordered to attend a mandatory face-to-face education programme and warned as to his future conduct for a breach of FA Rule E3 which relates to historical tweets.
"The Bolton Wanderers FC forward admitted that comments made were abusive and/or insulting and/or improper, contrary to FA Rule E3.1, and constituted an “Aggravated Breach”, which is defined in FA Rule E3.2, as they included, whether express or implied, reference to race and/or ethnic origin and/or sexual orientation.
"The sanction was imposed by an independent Regulatory Commission and written reasons for the decision will be published in due course."
Charles joined Wanderers from Accrington Stanley at the start of the January transfer window for an undisclosed fee and has scored six goals in 16 appearances for the club so far.
Wanderers boss Ian Evatt has spoken on the punishment Charles has received.
He said: " Obviously it’s been bubbling away in the back.
"We’ve said all we need to say on that, Dion’s apologised, in no way, shape or form do we condone any of those actions but thankfully it’s been dealt with now and put to bed.”
