Birmingham City coach Marcus Bignot could face the longest ban ever issued in the Women’s Super League and miss up to 12 games, after being accused of aiming a homophobic slur at a member of Tottenham Hotspur’s coaching staff.

If the charge is proven, Bignot is in line for a ban ranging from six to 12 matches, because of the nature of the case. Telegraph Sport understands the alleged incident came amid what multiple sources have described as a heated exchange between Bignot and the Tottenham technical area during the two sides’ WSL meeting at St Andrew’s on February 13, and the matter is being treated very seriously by the FA.

The 47-year-old former Queens Park Rangers, Crewe and Millwall right-back has until April 4 to respond to the Football Association’s charge. 

Incidences of homophobic abuse in women’s football are extremely rare, and a large number of players and staff in the WSL have come out publicly. In contrast to the English men’s game where there are currently no openly gay elite players, the WSL and its fanbase has widely been seen as providing a comparatively more inclusive, safe environment for the LGBTQ+ community.

Tottenham did not wish to comment on the matter, while Birmingham declined to comment further beyond a statement issued on Tuesday, which outlined the FA charge against Bignot.