Peterborough's Clarke-Harris handed four-match ban for old social media posts

Peterborough United striker Jonson Clarke-Harris has been handed a four-match ban by the FA for old social media posts that surfaced from when the forward was 18.

Clarke-Harris, now 27, has also been fined £5,300 for his historical posts and will be out of action for his side until at least October 20.

Peterborough are struggling in the Championship and sit just one place above the relegation zone, and Clarke-Harris will be a big miss for the Posh, as the striker has so far featured in every league game.

Clarke-Harris will miss games against Coventry, Bournemouth, Bristol City and Middlesborough as part of his FA ban.

Jonson Clarke-Harris has been handed a four-game ban

The 27-year-old was 18 at the time that he made his inappropriate comments on social media, which were posted between 27 October 2012 and 6 March 2013.

To add insult to injury on top of the striker's ban and fine, Clarke-Harris is required to complete a face-to-face education programme during his suspension due to the nature of his previous posts.

The FA released a statement about the comments Clarke-Harris previously posted, which read: "The comments were insulting, abusive, improper and brought the game into disrepute."

Clarke-Harris admitted six breaches of the FA's rule E3, and his comments breached FA Rule E3.2, as they included reference to sexual orientation, and although the striker was initially charged by the FA back in August, his four-game ban has now been enforced.

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Jonson Clarke-Harris in action for former side Coventry City

Clarke-Harris was at Peterborough during the time that he made the inappropriate comments on social media, but was yet to play a senior game for the club as an 18-year-old and left the Posh at the end of the 2012/13 season.

It was in 2018 that his form really turned as he had a breakthrough season with Bristol Rovers, and Peterborough re-signed him in 2020, which helped them achieve promotion to the Championship.

Since his return to Peterborough, Clarke-Harris has scored 35 goals in 57 matches, and has found the net twice this season against Birmingham and Sheffield United in the Championship, both from the penalty spot.

Peterborough were already in the relegation places earlier this week alongside Hull City and Nottingham Forest, but following Derby County's 12-point deduction, the Posh have climbed out and currently sit just two-points adrift.

Although Clarke-Harris will be a miss up top, it's at the other end that Peterborough appear to be struggling, as they have conceded 17 goals in the Championship so far this season, with only Reading worse off in the division.

Meanwhile, Peterborough have scored more goals than games so far this campaign, but face a tough season ahead to avoid the drop at the first time of asking, and temporary suspension to Clarke-Harris will not help their push for survival.