"He will serve a 3-match ban starting on 17th March with another 5-match ban suspended until the end of the 2003-04 season.

"In the event of a similar incident before that date, this additional suspension would be activated with immediate effect," an FA spokesman explained to TheFA.com.

In addition, Mackie was fined £1500 with another £1500 suspended according to the conditions described above.


The charge related to an incident involving Sheffield United's Carl Asaba during the Division One match at the Madejski Stadium on 14th December 2002.