League Two footballer gets 13-game ban for making a homophobic comment to opponent
Tranmere Rovers midfielder Sam Finley admitted to making a homophobic comment during a match in January.
Tranmere Rovers midfielder Sam Finley has been fined and banned for 13 matches after admitting an FA misconduct charge for an alleged homophobic comment aimed at an opposition player. Finley will also participate in a mandatory education programme for breaching the FA Rule E3 during a League Two clash against Walsall in January.
The 32-year-old was sent off in the first half of Tranmere’s 5-1 defeat, 15 minutes after exchanging words with Walsall striker Jamille Matt. Finley’s language towards Matt was allegedly abusive and/or insulting and/or improper contrary to FA Rule E3.1. A Football Association statement added: “It was further alleged that this constitutes an ‘aggravated breach’, which is defined in FA Rule E3.2, as it included a reference – whether express or implied – to sexual orientation.”
An independent Regulatory Commission imposed a 13-game suspension and a £2,000 fine while ordering Finley to complete an education programme.
The Commission’s written reasons for the punishment have also been published, which revealed what Finley allegedly said to Matt.
A foul by Tranmere’s Tom Davis on Walsall’s Nathan Lowe was said to have sparked an exchange of verbal insults, which included the alleged slur.
Matt immediately alerted referee Jeremy Simpson about Finley’s use of language, to which the Tranmere midfielder admitted after the match.
Finley accepted the charges throughout the process, stating he was disappointed in himself for using the homophobic comment in the heat of the moment.
He has apologised for his actions and sought support for anger management issues, holding multiple calls with Sporting Chance.
During the process, the FA made the Commission aware of two previous aggravated breaches in a match between Lowestoft Town and AFC Fylde in February 2016 and Accrington Stanley vs Rochdale in January 2020.
The former also involved an alleged homophobic slur, and the FA pushed for Finley to receive a six-month ban. However, the Commission did not view such a sanction as appropriate.
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