Sam Finley: Tranmere Rovers player gets 13-game ban for homophobic slur

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.

Finley also received an eight-match ban and fine for making an offensive comment to a Rochdale player while playing for Accrington Stanley in April 2020.

In addition to his ban and fine, Finley, who admitted using the homophobic slur to Matt even though the match officials had not overheard it, has been ordered to attend a mandatory face-to-face education programme within four months.

Should he fail to complete the programme to the FA’s satisfaction within that period, he will be “immediately and indefinitely suspended from all football and football-related activity until it is completed”.