Charges, suspensions and disciplinary updates, September 2016

Thursday 01 Sep 2016
FA charges - September 2016

Disciplinary charges, suspensions and responses for September 2016:

Thursday 29 September

Kevin Leadbetter, former player, Ashton United FC
Breaches of FA Rule E8 in respect of 276 bets placed on football matches between 28 April 2014 and 25 May 2015.
Leadbetter originally suspended from all football and football related activity for a period of 12 months, fined the sum of £750 and warned as to future conduct.

Appeal dismissed.

Written reasons.

South Kirby Colliery U21
Caribbean Sports U21 v South Kirkby Colliery U21
Sheffield County Senior League – Under 21, 31 October 2015
Breach of FA Rule E1(b) – it is alleged that South Kirkby Colliery FC failed to comply with FA Rule C1(i) in that Mr Bradley Dockerty participated in the above fixture while registered with Frickley Athletic FC.
South Kirby Colliery U21 were originally fined £200 and warned as to its future conduct.

Appeal dismissed – original orders stand.

Tony Ridley, club secretary, South Kirkby Colliery FC
Caribbean Sports U21 v South Kirkby Colliery U21
Sheffield County Senior League – Under 21, 31 October 2015
Breach of FA Rule F3 - it is alleged that Tony Ridley failed to comply with a requirement under FA Rule F2 to provide information requested by The Football Association.
Ridley was originally suspended from all football and football activity for the period of 28 days, fined £200 and warned as to his future conduct.

Appeal dismissed – original orders stand.

Written reasons

Wednesday 28 September

Ryan Tafazolli, Peterborough United FC
Shrewsbury Town FC v Peterborough United FC
Football League 1, 27 September 2016
Dismissed for denying a goalscoring opportunity.

Claim of wrongful dismissal received.

Jens Janse, Leyton Orient FC
Leyton Orient FC v Plymouth Argyle FC
Football League 2, 27 September 2016
Dismissed for denying a goalscoring opportunity.

Claim of wrongful dismissal received.

Robert Weir, Leyton Orient FC
Leyton Orient FC v Plymouth Argyle FC
Football League 2, 27 September 2016
Dismissed for serious foul play.

Claim of wrongful dismissal received.

Tuesday 27 September

Jason Demetriou, Southend United FC
Northampton Town FC v Southend United FC
Football League 1, 24 September 2016
Dismissed for denying a goalscoring opportunity.
Claim of wrongful dismissal received.

Claim successful. Suspension withdrawn with immediate effect.

Curzon Ashton FC
Curzon Ashton FC v Darlington FC
Southern League Premier, 15 August 2016
Breach of FA Rule E1(b) – it is alleged that Curzon Ashton FC failed to comply with FA Rule C1(g)(x), in that Max Hazeldine played for Curzon Ashton FC in the above fixture, before his temporary transfer had been authorised by The FA.

Curzon Ashton FC has until 5 October 2016 to respond.

Redditch United FC
Redditch United FC v Kettering Town FC
Southern League Premier, 16 August 2016
Kings Lynn Town FC v Redditch United FC 
Southern League Premier, 20 August 2016
Two breaches of FA Rule E1(b) – (i) it is alleged that Redditch United FC failed to comply with FA Rule C1(g)(x), in that Nathan Kelly played for Redditch United FC on 16 August 2016, before his temporary transfer to Redditch United FC had been authorised by The FA (ii) it is alleged that Redditch United FC failed to comply with FA Rule C1(g)(x), in that Nathan Kelly played for Redditch United FC on 20 August 2016, before his temporary transfer to Redditch United FC had been authorised by The FA.

Redditch United FC has until 5 October 2016 to respond.

Darren Davis, coach, Carlton Town FC
Carlton Town FC v AFC Rushden & Diamonds
Northern Premier League Division 1, 27 August 2016
Breach of FA Rule E3 – it is alleged that Davis’s behaviour in or around the 90th minute of the fixture constitutes improper conduct.

Davis has until 5 October 2016 to respond.

Paul Lamb, assistant manager, AFC Rushden & Diamonds
Carlton Town FC v AFC Rushden & Diamonds
Northern Premier League Division 1, 27 August 2016
Breach of FA Rule E3 – it is alleged that Lamb’s behaviour in or around the 90th minute of the fixture constitutes improper and/or violent conduct.

Lamb has until 5 October 2016 to respond.

Luke George, Chester FC
Gateshead FC v Chester FC
National League Premier, 6 August 2016
Breach of FA Rule E3 – it is alleged that George’s behaviour in or around the 23rd minute of the fixture constitutes violent conduct.

George has until 5 October 2016 to respond.

Monday 26 September

Shaun Derry, manager, Cambridge United FC
Cambridge United FC v Morecambe FC
Football League 2, 17 September 2016
Breach of FA Rule E3 – it is alleged that Derry’s behaviour in or around the tunnel area at full time of the fixture constitutes violent conduct.

Charge denied, personal hearing requested.

Phil Brown, manager, Southend United FC
Bolton Wanderers FC v Southend United FC
Football League 1, 3 September 2016
Breach of FA Rule E3 – it is alleged that in or around the 87th minute of the fixture Brown used abusive and/or insulting words towards a Match Official.
Charge denied, personal hearing requested.

Brown was suspended from the touchline from all domestic club football, until such time as Southend United FC have completed two first-team competitive matches in approved competitions and fined £1,500. The punishment has been set aside, subject to appeal.

Nicky Bailey, Sutton United FC
Eastleigh FC v Sutton United FC
National League, 24 September 2016
Breach of FA Rule E3 – it is alleged that Mr Bailey’s language and/or behaviour was improper when refusing to leave the technical area before the start of the fixture.

Bailey has until 6pm on 29 September 2016 to respond.

Craig Hignett, manager, Hartlepool United FC
Plymouth Argyle FC v Hartlepool United FC
Football League 2, 24 September 2016
Three breaches of FA Rule E3 – (i) it is alleged that in or around the 85th minute of the fixture Mr Hignett used abusive/insulting words towards a Match Official; (iii) it is alleged that following his dismissal from the technical area Hignett used threatening language towards a Match Official; and (iii) it is alleged that in or around the changing room area following the final whistle Hignett used abusive/insulting words towards a Match Official.

Hignett has until 6pm on 29 September 2016 to respond.

Cameron Stuart, assistant manager, Chasetown FC
Chasetown FC v Shaw Lane Association FC
Northern Premier League Division One South, 13 August 2016
Three breaches of FA Rule E3 – (i) it is alleged that in or around the 70th minute of the above fixture, Stuart’s behaviour in failing to provide his name to the Match Referee amounted to improper conduct; (ii) it is alleged that in failing to leave the technical area when requested to do so amounted to improper conduct; (iii) it is further alleged that Stuart's language towards the Match Referee was abusive and/or insulting.

Charge denied, personal hearing requested.

Dave Stringer, manager, Chasetown FC
Chasetown FC v Belper Town FC
Northern Premier League Division 1 South, 27 August 2016
Two breaches of FA Rule E3 – (i) it is alleged that in or around the 66th minute of the fixture Stringer used abusive and/or insulting words towards a Match Official; (ii) it is further alleged that following Stringer’s dismissal from the technical area, he used abusive and/or insulting words towards a Match Official.

Charge denied, paper hearing requested.

Massiah McDonald, Coalville Town FC
Coalville Town FC v Rushall Olympic FC
Northern Premier League Premier Division, 29 August 2016
Breach of FA Rule E3 – it is alleged that McDonald’s language and/or behaviour amounted to improper conduct.

Charge denied, paper hearing requested.

Friday 23 September

York City FC
York City FC v Tranmere Rovers FC
National League, 13 September 2016
Two breaches of FA Rule E20 (a) – (i) it is alleged that at that in or around the 36th minute of the fixture, York City FC failed to ensure that its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion; (ii) it is alleged that at that in or around the 47th minute of the fixture, York City FC failed to ensure that its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and/or refrained from provocative behaviour.
Charge admitted, paper hearing requested.

York City FC fined £800 and warned as to future conduct.

Tranmere Rovers FC 
York City FC v Tranmere Rovers FC
National League, 13 September 2016
Two breaches of FA Rule E20 (a) – (i) it is alleged that at that in or around the 36th minute of the fixture, Tranmere Rovers FC failed to ensure that its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion (ii) it is alleged that at that in or around the 47th minute of the fixture, Tranmere Rovers FC failed to ensure that its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and/or refrained from provocative behaviour.
Charge admitted, paper hearing requested.

Tranmere Rovers FC fined £1,000 and warned as to future conduct.

Jeffrey Hughes, Tranmere Rovers FC
York City FC v Tranmere Rovers FC
National League, 13 September 2016
Breach of FA Rule E3 – it is alleged that Hughes’s conduct in or around the 47th minute amounted to improper and/or violent conduct.
Charge admitted, paper hearing requested

Hughes was immediately suspended from all domestic club football, until such time as Tranmere Rovers FC have completed three first team matches in approved competitions, fined £600 and warned as to future conduct.

Written reasons.

Tom Baker, manager, Trafford FC
Trafford FC v Ossett Town FC
Northern Premier League Division 1 North, 27 August 2016
Two breaches of FA Rule E3 – (i) it is alleged that at the end of the fixture Baker used abusive and/or insulting words towards a Match Official; (ii) it is further alleged that Baker’s behaviour in or around the changing room area amounted to improper conduct.
Charge admitted, paper hearing requested.

Baker was suspended from the touchline, commencing Monday 26 September, until such time as Trafford FC have completed two first-team matches in approved competitions, fined £200 and warned as to future conduct.

Joe Stevens, Cheshunt FC
Brightlingsea Regent FC v Cheshunt FC
Isthmian League Division 1 North, 27 August 2016
Breach of FA Rule E3 – it is alleged that Stevens used abusive and/or insulting language towards the Match Officials in or around the changing room area following the conclusion of the fixture.
Charge admitted, paper hearing requested.

Stevens was suspended from all domestic club football, commencing Monday 26 September, until such time as Cheshunt FC have completed two first team matches in approved competitions and fined £100.

Ken Charlery, manager, Ware FC
Ware FC v VCD Athletic FC 
Isthmian League Division 1 North, 27 August 2016
Breach of FA Rule E3 – it is alleged that at half time of the fixture, in and around the field of play/tunnel area, Charlery used abusive and/or insulting words towards a Match Official.
Charge admitted, paper hearing requested.

Charlery was suspended from the touchline, commencing Monday 26 September, until such time as Ware FC have completed two first team matches in approved competitions, fined £150 and warned as to future conduct.

Thursday 22 September

Andre Gray, Burnley FC
Media Comments
Breach of FA Rule E3 – it is alleged that comments posted on Gray’s Twitter account, were abusive and/or insulting and/or improper and/or brought the game into disrepute contrary to Rule E3(1). It is further alleged that these breaches of Rule E3(1) include a reference to sexual orientation and/or gender and/or colour and/or race contrary to Rule E3(2).
Three charges admitted and three charges denied – personal hearing requested

Charges proven. Gray was immediately suspended from all domestic club football until such time as Burnley FC have completed four first team competitive matches in approved competitions, fined £25,000 and warned as to future conduct. Gray must attend an FA education course.

Wednesday 21 September

Morecambe FC
Cambridge United FC v Morecambe FC
Football League 2, 17 September 2016
Breach of FA Rule E20(a) – it is alleged that in or around the tunnel area at full time, Morecambe FC failed to ensure that its players and/or officials conducted themselves in an orderly fashion.

Morecambe FC has until 6pm on 26 September 2016 to respond.

Cambridge United FC
Cambridge United FC v Morecambe FC
Football League 2, 17 September 2016
Breach of FA Rule E20(a) – it is alleged that in or around the tunnel area at full time, Cambridge United FC failed to ensure that its players and/or officials conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and/or refrained from violent behaviour.

Cambridge United FC has until 6pm on 26 September 2016 to respond.

Shrewsbury Town FC
Bury FC v Shrewsbury Town FC
Football League 1, 10 September 2016
Breach of FA Rule E20 (a) – it is alleged that at half time of the fixture, Shrewsbury Town FC failed to ensure that its players and/or officials conducted themselves in an orderly fashion.

No reply form received. Proceed on basis of denial (paper hearing).

Bury FC
Bury FC v Shrewsbury Town FC
Football League 1, 10 September 2016
Breach of FA Rule E20 (a) – it is alleged that at half time of the fixture, Bury FC failed to ensure that its players and/or officials conducted themselves in an orderly fashion.

Charge denied, personal hearing requested.

Worthing United FC
Worthing United FC v Peacehaven & Telscombe FC
Buildbase FA Vase, 10 September 2016
Breach of FA Rule E20 (a) – it is alleged that in or around the 70th minute, Worthing United FC failed to ensure that its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and/or refrained from provocative and/or violent conduct.
Charge denied, paper hearing requested.

Charge proven. Worthing United FC was fined £100 and warned as to future conduct

Peacehaven & Telscombe FC
Worthing United FC v Peacehaven & Telscombe FC
Buildbase FA Vase, 10 September 2016
Breach of FA Rule E20 (a) – it is alleged that in or around the 70th minute, Peacehaven & Telscombe FC failed to ensure that its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and/or refrained from provocative and/or violent conduct.
Charge admitted, paper hearing requested.

Peacehaven & Telscombe FC was fined £200 and warned as to future conduct.

Jack Langford, Peacehaven & Telscombe FC
Worthing United FC v Peacehaven & Telscombe FC
Buildbase FA Vase, 10 September 2016
Breach of FA Rule E3 – it is alleged that Langford’s behaviour in or around the 70th minute of the fixture amounts to violent conduct.
Charge admitted, paper hearing requested.

Langford was immediately suspended from all football and football related activity until 1 July 2018, fined £150 and warned as to future conduct.

Written reasons.

Tuesday 20 September

Vurnon Anita, Newcastle United FC
Newcastle United FC v Wolverhampton Wanderers FC
Football League Championship, 17 September 2016
Dismissed for serious foul play
Claim of wrongful dismissal received.

Claim unsuccessful. Anita’s three-match suspension remains in place.

Written reasons: Vurnon Anita.

Joseph Edwards, Walsall FC
Walsall FC v Bolton Wanderers FC
Football League 1, 17 September 2016
Dismissed for serious foul play.
Claim of wrongful dismissal received.

Claim unsuccessful. Edwards’s three-match suspension remains in place.

Monday 19 September

David Carson, formerly of Blackburn Rovers FC
12 August 2016
Breaches of FA Rule E8(1) – It is alleged that between 23 December 2015 – 26 April 2016, Carson placed 34 bets on the result, progress, conduct or any other aspect of, or occurrence in, football matches or competition whilst being a “Participant”.
Charges admitted, personal hearing requested.

Carson was fined £200 and warned as to future conduct.

Friday 16 September

Mark Hughes, manager, Stoke City FC
Stoke City FC v Tottenham Hotspur FC
Premier League, 10 September 2016
Breach of FA Rule E3 – it is alleged that Hughes’s behaviour in or around the 34th minute of the fixture amounted to improper conduct.

Charge admitted, standard penalty 1 accepted.

Paul Trollope, manager, Cardiff City FC
Norwich City FC v Cardiff City FC
Football League Championship, 10 September 2016
Breach of FA Rule E3 – it is alleged that Trollope’s conduct after the end of the fixture was improper.

Charge admitted, standard penalty 1 accepted.

Thursday 15 September

Samuel Hutchinson, Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday v. Bristol City
Football League Championship, 13 September, 2016
Dismissed for denying a goalscoring opportunity.
Claim of wrongful dismissal received.

Claim unsuccessful. Hutchinson’s one-match suspensions remains in place.

Written reasons.

Tuesday 13 September

Kyle McFadzean, Burton Albion FC
Wolverhampton Wanderers FC v Burton Albion FC
Football League Championship, 10 September 2016
Breach of FA Rule E3 – it is alleged that McFadzean’s behaviour in or around the 40th minute of the fixture constitutes violent conduct.
Charge admitted but submitted that the automatic penalty is clearly excessive.

Claim rejected. McFadzean immediately suspended for three first-team competitive fixtures.

Andrew Hughes, Peterborough United FC
Peterborough United FC v Port Vale FC
Football League 1, 10 September 2016
Dismissed for denying a goalscoring opportunity
Claim of wrongful dismissal received.

Claim unsuccessful. Hughes’s one-match suspension remains in place.

Friday 9 September

Harry Wheeler, coach, Welling United FC
East Thurrock United FC v Welling United FC
National League South, 16 August 2016
Breach of FA Rule E3 – it is alleged that during the second half of the fixture Wheeler’s conduct towards a Match Official was improper.
Charge admitted, standard penalty not accepted. Paper hearing requested.

Standard penalty 1 reduced to £150.

Jimmy Gray, manager, Barton Rovers FC
Potters Bar Town FC v Barton Rovers FC
Southern League Division One Central, 9 August 2016
Breach of FA Rule E3 – it is alleged that in or around the 90th minute of the fixture Gray used abusive and/or insulting words towards Match Officials.

Charge admitted, standard penalty 1 accepted.

Scott Dundas, manager, Newcastle Town FC
Belper Town FC v Newcastle Town FC
Northern Premier League Division One South, 16 August 2016
Breach of FA Rule E3 – it is alleged that in or around the 75th minute of the fixture Dundas used abusive and/or insulting words towards a Match Official.

Dundas has until 16 September 2016 to respond.

Thursday 8 September

Laurence Fisher, intermediary
Breach of FA Rule E1(b) – it is alleged that Lawrence Fisher breached Regulation B8 of the FA Regulations on Working with Intermediaries.

Fisher has until 15 September 2016 to respond.

Tuesday 6 September

Joe Stevens, Cheshunt FC
Brightlingsea Regent FC v Cheshunt FC
Isthmian League Division 1 North, 27 August 2016
Breach of FA Rule E3 – it is alleged that Stevens used abusive and/or insulting language towards the Match Officials in or around the changing room area following the conclusion of the fixture.

Stevens has until 14 September 2016 to respond.

Alex Pike, Manager, Gosport Borough FC
Gosport Borough FC v Bishop’s Stortford FC
National League – South, 27 August 2016
Breach of FA Rule E3 – it is alleged that Pike’s language and/or behaviour in or around the 90th minute of the fixture amounted to improper conduct.

Pike has until 14 September 2016 to respond.

Monday 5 September

Notts County FC
Notts County FC v Hartlepool United FC
EFL Trophy, 31 August 2016
Breach of FA Rule E20 (a) – it is alleged that in or around the 90th minute of the fixture, the club failed to ensure that its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion.

Charge admitted, standard penalty 1 accepted.

Hartlepool United FC
Notts County FC v Hartlepool United FC
EFL Trophy, 31 August 2016
Breach of FA Rule E20 (a) – it is alleged that in or around the 90th minute of the fixture, the club failed to ensure that its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion.

Charge admitted, standard penalty 1 accepted.

Friday 2 September

Sergio Aguero, Manchester City FC
Manchester City FC v West Ham United FC
Premier League, 28 August 2016
Breach of FA Rule E3 – it is alleged that Aguero’s behaviour in or around the 76th minute of the fixture constitutes violent conduct.
Charge denied. Further submitted that if found proven, the automatic penalty of a three-match suspension is clearly excessive.

Charge proven. Claim that the automatic penalty of a three-match suspension is clearly excessive rejected. Aguero will serve a three-match suspension with immediate effect.

James Duncan, assistant manager, Potters Bar Town FC
Potters Bar Town FC v Barton Rovers FC
Southern League Division One Central, 9 August 2016
Breach of FA Rule E3 – it is alleged that in or around the 75th minute of the fixture Duncan used abusive and/or insulting words towards a Match Official.

Charge admitted, standard penalty accepted.

By FA Staff