Ex-Tottenham player Renee Hector ‘sank into depression’ and was bedridden from online abuse after racism case

Former Tottenham defender Renee Hector has revealed her battle with depression after suffering racial abuse from another player during a match in January, and has called on The FA to further increase the punishment for those found guilty.

Sophie Jones, who was then playing for Sheffield United, was fined £200 and suspended for five games before having her contract terminated by the Blades, after being found guilty of racially abusing Hector. Jones denied accusations of making monkey noises towards the 24-year-old.

Having reported the incident and taking to Twitter following the game to detail events, Hector, now at Charlton Athletic, has revealed that subsequent online abuse left her unable to leave her bed for a week and had a wider impact on her family.

"The online abuse affected me really deeply, but it wasn't just me, it affected my family and really affected my mum," Hector said.

"I was just spiralling out of control, basically, I started sinking into depression because there were lots of insecurities that I had already and it was highlighted for the world to see.

"I had spent years struggling with my weight, it first started when my mum got diagnosed with breast cancer and I also tore my anterior cruciate ligament in my knee so I couldn't play for a year."

Speaking to BBC Sport, she added: "All the comments online sparked all those stories back in my head, and I was my own worst enemy.

"My lowest point was when I had to have a week off work, because I couldn't physically leave my bed and didn't really leave the house. Every time I looked in the mirror I felt disgusted with myself."

Since the incident The FA have increased the minimum punishment for any player found to have inflicted racial abuse to six matches, though Hector feels that there needs to be a greater deterrent.

"I think the punishment needs to be a bit stronger," she said. "Players need know they are going to be punished significantly, and think twice about doing it because to some people a month out from playing matches isn't really that long."