Jack Simpson has apologised for directing a racial slur towards his then Cardiff City team-mate Rohan Luthra.
Simpson was recently handed a six-game ban and an £8,000 fine by The Football Association [FA] after admitting the offence, which took place during Cardiff's pre-season tour of Portugal in July.
"I wish to apologise publicly and unreservedly for the racist remark I made to Rohan Luthra on July 23," said Simpson in a released statement.
"I have done so in private and it is important now, after the publication of The FA Commission decision into the matter, that I do so publicly to Rohan and to all those who are rightly hurt by the nature of my comment.
"I stand against racism in all forms and what was said on that day does not, I believe, reflect my beliefs or my character.
"I hope this message conveys how strongly I feel about my mistake and how I intend to own it, and emerge as a better person. I love the game and hope to play it again professionally. Jack Simpson."
The 26-year-old was found to have breached FA rule E3.1 by using "language towards a team-mate that was abusive and/or insulting and/or improper".
Furthermore, Simpson breached FA rule E3.2 by using language that "constitutes an aggravated breach as it included a reference - whether express or implied - to race and/or colour".
Simpson's Cardiff contract was due to run until the summer of 2024, but it was cancelled by "mutual agreement" on August 31. The defender remains a free agent.
Simpson joined the Welsh side from Rangers in 2022, while he began his career at Bournemouth.
Rohan Luthra, who has returned to Cardiff after a loan spell at Slough Town, became the first British South Asian ever to sign a Premier League contract at Crystal Palace back in 2020, and is the only goalkeeper from Britain's South Asian community ever to play in the Sky Bet Championship.
Sky Sports News has asked Cardiff for comment.
The six-match suspension handed to Simpson was at the lowest end of the six to 12-match sanction range available to the Independent Regulatory Commission.
The Football Association told Sky Sports News at the weekend they had no plans to appeal the sanction imposed on Jack Simpson.
Former FA National Game Board member Abu Nasir to Sky Sports News: "It's important that we acknowledge this apology, which is a step in the right direction.
"Rohan has demonstrated courage and bravery and should be applauded. His team-mates Ruben Colwill and Kieron Evans also deserve huge credit in particular for taking a stand with him and supporting him.
"This episode, however, is a worrying example of the current state of play facing British South Asians in Football - again underlining why we need a comprehensive plan of action to support and improve representation at the highest level."
Show Racism the Red Card Director of Operations Paul Kearns to Sky Sports News: "We commend Rohan Luthra for the strength that he has shown in bringing this case to the attention of the authorities.
"Bearing in mind that only the minimum ban has been issued in this instance, Show Racism the Red Card welcome the programme of education that will accompany the sanction. Education is integral in the fight against racism."
