MX23RW : Monday, December 23 05:36:39| >> :600:248863:248863:

Barnsley fined by FA over deputy safety officer's James McClean comment

Barnsley fined by FA over deputy safety officer's James McClean comment
© Reuters
An Independent Regulatory Commission expressed concerns over Clegg's "suitability to hold a role of responsibility".

Barnsley have been fined £20,000 by the Football Association and ordered to "implement an action plan" after the club's deputy safety officer told match officials that James McClean "should be used to" abuse.

Peter Clegg's reaction to sectarian abuse directed at Stoke midfielder McClean has been highlighted as a "serious aggravating factor" by an independent regulatory commission regarding the incident which took place during the Championship fixture at Oakwell last year.

The FA sanction relates to chants heard during the clash between the sides on November 9, which the Potters won 4-2.

Derry-born McClean has repeatedly faced criticism for his decision not to wear a poppy on his shirt in the game closest to Remembrance Day.

The 30-year-old has said that decision was taken out of respect for those who died in the city on Bloody Sunday in 1972.

Clegg was informed of the chanting in a post-match meeting with the referee, assistants and Liam Slack, from the PGMOL, and said: "He's a professional footballer, he should be used to it by now."

Referee Jeremy Simpson reported the "unacceptable and inappropriate" comment to the Barnsley secretary and Clegg has been warned by his employers – an external organisation used by the club – over his conduct and instructed to undertake an equality and diversity course for re-education.

A report from the FA released on Friday also states: "We noted that Clegg has not been disciplined by the club, which continues to use him in the role of deputy safety officer.

"And we do have concerns (based on Barnsley safety officer Steve Bailey's evidence) as to Clegg's suitability to hold a role of responsibility at the club, particularly one which requires him to play an important role in the implementation of the club's anti-discriminatory abuse."

On Friday the FA charged Barnsley with a breach of rule E20 and says the club "admitted failing to ensure that its spectators, and all persons purporting to be its supporters or followers, conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and refrained from using abusive and/or insulting words which included a reference, whether express or implied, to nationality and/or religion and/or beliefs while attending the fixture."

In a statement, the club said: "Barnsley Football Club has a zero-tolerance policy on any form of discrimination and, as such, are immensely disappointed to have been found guilty of violating FA rulings.

"The club will act upon the case findings and will continue to work closely with the FA and Kick It Out. Anybody found to be involved in any form of discriminatory behaviour when representing Barnsley Football Club face a potential ban from attending matches."

ID:390443: cacheID:390443:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3958:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
West Brom boss Slaven Bilic on February 15, 2020
Read Next:
Championship week 34 predictions including Bristol City vs. West Bromwich Albion
>
Read more about James McClean Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Wycombe WanderersWycombe20135243222144
2Birmingham CityBirmingham18133234161842
3Wrexham21126331141742
4Huddersfield TownHuddersfield20123534181639
5Stockport CountyStockport21106534221236
6Lincoln CityLincoln218762825331
7Reading209473030031
8Bolton WanderersBolton199462829-131
9Barnsley218672930-130
10Mansfield TownMansfield198472322128
11Charlton AthleticCharlton207672319427
12Blackpool207672931-227
13Exeter CityExeter208391922-327
14Stevenage197571517-226
15Leyton Orient207492320325
16Peterborough UnitedPeterborough2073103837124
17Wigan AthleticWigan206681918124
18Rotherham UnitedRotherham196581921-223
19Bristol Rovers2064101829-1122
20Northampton TownNorthampton2156102134-1321
21Crawley TownCrawley1954102032-1219
22Cambridge UnitedCambridge2045112035-1517
23Burton Albion2026121732-1512
24Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury2033142141-2012


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!