Real Bedford chairman fined by Bedfordshire FA for assault rifle photo

Peter McCormack, the co-owner and chairman of Real Bedford FC, has been fined £30 by Bedfordshire FA in relation to two ‘improper conduct’ charges after a photo of McCormack holding an AR-15 assault rifle appeared in a matchday programme.

McCormack has also been given a second £30 fine plus a three-match ban for ‘using abusive language’ aimed at another manager on social media, former MK Dons Women’s boss, Dene Walsh.

The Bedford Independent reported in September that McCormack had been charged by Bedfordshire FA under Section E3.1 of the FA Code of Conduct in relation to both incidents. Charges McCormack denies.

Read: Real Bedford FC chairman charged by FA over gun photo says he wanted to “spark debate”

In a lengthy post on ‘X’ on Thursday (5 December), McCormack fought back against the three panel members and claimed, ‘this same photo has been used all season without issue’.

McCormack said to the Bedford Independent: “I will continue to use any images I choose.

“From the questions posed at the hearing, this charge appears to boil down to personal taste. Enforcing censorship based on taste sets a dangerous precedent.

“While the Football Association governs football, it has a responsibility to uphold and encourage free speech. Failure to do so risks creating a chilling effect, especially given the FA’s monopoly over the sport.”

Sparking a debate

When asked for a response to McCormack’s assertion that the FA has a ‘responsibility to uphold and encourage free speech’, an FA spokesperson responded by simply outlining the details of the case.

“It is alleged that a photograph of Peter McCormack holding a firearm was used in the Club programme to accompany the Chairman’s notes or similar. It is alleged that the use of the photograph in the programme is considered improper pursuant to FA Rule E3.1.

“This result was proven.”

No further comment was provided.

When the charges were first published, McCormack claimed that he had wanted to “spark a necessary debate around issues of liberty, free speech, and personal expression”.

“In the context of this image, where I am holding a peace sign alongside the gun, the symbolism is entirely different. It’s a representation of free speech and the right to provoke thought, not an endorsement of violence.”

He has previously commented that ‘The FA’s decision to sanction me for this photo violates Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), which concerns freedom of expression.’

However, Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), protects an individual’s freedom of expression without interference by a public authority, which the FA is not.

“Fake Wimbledon”

The second element of the charge focused on a social media post on ‘X’ by McCormack in which he aimed an insult at former MK Dons Women’s manager, Dene Walsh.

Walsh has since left Milton Keynes Dons, a club that McCormack called ‘Fake Wimbledon’ in his social media thread, a reference to when Wimbledon FC was relocated almost 60 miles to Milton Keynes in 2003.

“The charge for abusive language is fair as it aligns with the rules”, said McCormack. He also accused the former MK Dons manager’s behaviour of being “appalling”.

“Perhaps next time I’ll address such behaviour directly with the manager,” he said.

The three-match ban, which begins on Monday, 16 December, will only affect Real Bedford Women’s matches.

MK Dons FC declined to comment.