Tranmere Rovers midfielder Sam Finley has been handed a 13-game ban for making a homophobic comment to an opposition player.
The midfielder, 32, admitted a Football Association charge of misconduct over a comment made to Walsall striker Jamille Matt during a League Two game in January.
Finley has also been fined 2,000 and ordered to complete an education programme following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing.
The lengthy suspension is one match above the 12-game upper limit for an aggravated breach involving “abusive, indecent or insulting words or behaviour” because of Finley’s past offences.
He was previously charged for a similar homophobic comment made to a referee in February 2016 while Finley was playing for AFC Fylde which resulted in a four-match ban and fine.
He also received an eight-match ban, reduced from 11, and fine for making an offensive comment to a Rochdale player while playing for Accrington Stanley in April 2020.
