Accrington’s Sam Finley slapped with an eight-match ban for ‘calling an Irish opponent a pikey’ as he admits: ‘I did make reference to going back to his caravan’ – but denies using the slur
- Accrington’s Sam Finley was accused of calling Irishman Paul McShane a ‘pikey’
- He denies using word but says he did make reference to opponent’s nationality
- Finley said: ‘I did make reference that Paul should go back to his caravan’
- The FA have slapped 27-year-old Finley with eight-match ban and an £850 fine
Accrington midfielder Sam Finley has been handed an eight-match ban after admitting verbally abusing Rochdale’s Irish midfielder Paul McShane on the grounds of his nationality.
The punishment, set out by a Football Association Regulatory Commission, also includes an £850 fine plus ‘face-to-face education’.
An FA statement read: ‘The Accrington Stanley FC midfielder admitted using abusive or insulting language during the 23rd minute of an EFL League One fixture against Rochdale AFC on Wednesday 1 January 2020.
Accrington’s 27-year-old Sam Finley has been banned for eight matches for verbal abuse
It was alleged that Finley called Irish opponent Paul McShane (pictured) a ‘pikey’ during game
‘The language used was contrary to FA Rule E3(1) and constituted an ‘aggravated breach’, which is defined in FA Rule E3(2), as it included a reference to nationality.’
Finley was accused of calling Republic of Ireland international a ‘pikey’ in a League One game.
He denied using the word but told the FA: ‘I did make reference that Paul should go back to his caravan and that I was referencing his being Irish in doing so’.