THE FA has confirmed that former Accrington Stanley midfielder Sam Finley has been suspended for 13 games and fined £2,000 for using homophobic language in a match against Walsall earlier this season.
It was alleged the Tranmere midfielder’s language towards Walsall player, Jamille Matt around the 23rd minute of the League Two game on January 11 this year, was abusive and/or insulting and/or improper contrary to FA Rule E3.1.
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.
In a witness statement, Matt described how he and Finley exchanged verbal insults following a foul by Tranmere's Tom Davis on Walsall's Nathan Lowe.
Matt immediately notified the referee of the use of a discriminatory comment by Finley.
Finley, aged 32, later admitted using the comment and apologised for the words that he had used.
He stated that he was disappointed in himself for using such words, but that the words were said in the heat of the moment.
Tranmere lost the game at the Poundland Bescot Stadium 5-1 and Finley was sent off in the 38th minute.
He accepted the charges against him at the earliest opportunity.
In 2016, Finley used similar words towards a referee when playing for AFC Fylde against Lowestoft Town and was handed a four-match playing suspension, a £250 fine, a warning as to his future conduct, and an order that he complete an online education course within four months.
Finley was suspended again in 2020 while playing for Accrington Stanley when he received an eight match ban for using racist language.
In Finley's mitigation, the FA said the player "has sought outside assistance with anger management issues of his own volition and has had a number of calls with Sporting Chance.
"Finley said that this was already having a positive impact upon him. The impact was evidenced by a significant reduction in the number of yellow cards that he had received in his last 20 matches when compared to the 20 preceding the anger management intervention."
Finley has been ordered to complete an education programme within four months of the FA's decision.
His suspension will begin immediately meaning the midfielder will miss the last two games of the current season.
A statement from Tranmere Rovers said: "The club condemns all forms of discrimination and will deal with the matter internally. The club will make no further comment at this time."
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