Kirk Broadfoot handed longest ban in English football history for sectarian abuse

ByEurosport

Updated 24/07/2015 at 10:51 GMT

Former Rangers defender Kirk Broadfoot will serve a 10-match ban after a verbal sectarian attack on Ireland winger James McLean, according to media reports.

The ban is understood to be the longest handed out in English football history for verbal abuse.

Broadfood was also fined £7,500 and ordered to complete "an education programme," said the Football Association in a statement.

An FA tribunal decided to hammer Broadfoot after the incident at the New York Stadium on March 14.

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Broadfoot plays for Rotherham United and was marking McClean, who was turning out for Wigan at the time.

McClean has since moved to West Bromwich Albion.

Rotherham have apparently refused to comment on the issue due to a confidentiality agreement that stops anyone involved discussing the nature of the case, and how it could potentially affect the safety of both men.

James McClean

Image credit: Eurosport

Broadfoot's ban beats the previous record eight-game ban handed out to Liverpool's Luis Suarez for his racial abuse of Manchester United defender Patrice Evra during a match four years ago.

McClean is a Roman Catholic and a Celtic fan while Broadfoot is a protestant from Ayrshire in Scotland who played for Rangers from 2007 until 2013.

McLean turned his back on the Union Flag and refused to sing the British national anthem during a pre-season match in the US earlier this week.

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