Ex-Crawley coach charged over 'disability' abuse

Louis Storey spent three years as assistant manager at Gateshead before joining Crawley

Former Crawley Town assistant manger and interim head coach Louis Storey has been charged by the Football Association with abusing a supporter while making a reference to disability.

The alleged incident happened during the first half of Crawley's 3-1 League One defeat at Blackpool on Saturday, 22 February.

It is being treated as an "aggravated breach" of FA rules, a charge that does not come with a pre-determined sanction if proven.

The case, and any possible punishment, will be dealt with by an independent regulatory commission.

Storey was assistant manager at Crawley under Rob Elliot, who was appointed in October 2024. Both left National League club Gateshead to join the Red Devils.

The 31-year-old then had a brief spell as the club's interim head coach following Elliot's departure in March.

He left the Sussex club when Scott Lindsey, who was unable to prevent Crawley's relegation to League Two, returned to replace Elliot.

Storey has until Tuesday, 13 May to respond to the charge.

A statement from the FA said: "It's alleged the former Crawley Town assistant manager breached FA Rule E3.1 by using abusive and/or insulting words towards a supporter during the first half.

"It's further alleged that this constitutes an "aggravated breach", which is defined in FA Rule E3.2, as it included a reference - whether express or implied - to disability."