Jack Simpson: Leyton Orient sign defender who left Cardiff City over racist abuse

Jack Simpson left Cardiff City last summer after being banned for racist abuse of a team-mate on a club pre-season trip

Leyton Orient say defender Jack Simpson "deserves a second chance" after signing him on a short-term deal.

The 27-year-old has been a free agent since leaving Cardiff last summer.

He was banned and fined by the FA after admitting using racist language during Cardiff's pre-season trip to Portugal.

O's chairman Nigel Travis told the club website: "The board and I discussed the possibility of us signing Jack and we have decided that he deserves his second chance."

Simpson later apologised to his Cardiff team-mate after the incident on tour but was banned for six matches and fined £8,000 by the FA.

He was also told to undergo "face-to-face education" after breaching FA rule E3 for misconduct, with his racist abuse also deemed an "aggravated breach" of the governing body's rules.

"I'm very grateful to Leyton Orient for giving me the opportunity to rebuild my career," Simpson said. "I made a mistake last year, one that I only have myself to blame for and one that I will always regret.

"I stand against racism in all forms and that incident does not reflect my beliefs or my character. I am extremely sorry for what happened and I hope that I can now put this behind me and concentrate on helping Leyton Orient."

'Taken responsibility'

O's head coach Richie Wellens said: "Jack has trained with us for the last two weeks as we felt it was important for us to assess his personality and his ability. He has been very open with me about the incident that led to him leaving Cardiff and he is very remorseful about it.

"I believe that I'm a good judge of character and I want to make it clear that we would not be signing Jack if I had doubts about him as a person.

"On the pitch, he is a good defender with a lot of qualities that will help us to keep progressing."

Chairman Travis added: "I have full trust in Richie's judgement of Jack's character and, having spoken to him on Sunday, I know that Jack has taken responsibility for his actions last year and is also very willing to offer his support to our Community Trust whilst he is at the club.

"I wish to reiterate that there is no place for racism or any kind of discrimination at our football club. Leyton is one of the most multi-cultural parts of London, which we are very proud of."

Simpson came through the ranks at Bournemouth and made 11 Premier League appearances for the Cherries before joining Rangers, winning the title in 2022.

He moved to Cardiff for an undisclosed fee in August 2022 but left by mutual consent in August 2023 with a year remaining on his contract.

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