John Cummings challenged the length of sanction imposed by an Independent Regulatory Commission for using abusive and/or insulting words towards the Northumberland County FA’s Referee Development Officer. The Commission also found this breach was an ‘Aggravated Breach’ as it included a reference to gender.
Mr Cummings, who denied The FA charge, was suspended from all football activity for four months commencing with immediate effect, fined £250 and ordered to attend an education course prior to the completion of the suspension.
Following an Appeal Board hearing, the decision of the original Independent Regulatory Commission to impose a four-month suspension from all football activities against Mr Cummings was upheld and he was ordered to pay £1,500 towards the costs of the Appeal Board.
The decision and subsequent orders of the Independent Regulatory Commission, which can be found here, remain.
This decision is final and binding.