Grimsby midfielder handed six-game ban for 'racist' comments towards Cobblers player

Grimsby Town midfielder Elliott Whitehouse has been banned for six matches after admitting to a charge of using abusive language directed at an opponent during a fixture against the Cobblers in November of last year.

In addition to his suspension, Whitehouse has been fined £2,000 and must also undertake a face-to-face education course with The FA after admitting a breach of FA Rule E3.

The charge related to the allegation that Whitehouse used abusive and/or insulting words towards Northampton midfielder Alan McCormack in the 72nd minute of a League Two fixture on November 23, 2019. It is alleged that this breach of FA Rule E3 is an 'aggravated breach' as defined in Rule E3, as it included a reference to race and/or ethnic origin and/or nationality.

Whitehouse was charged by the FA last month and admitted directing abuse considered 'extremely offensive' to the traveller community in the second-half of the aforementioned fixture, which was won 2-0 by the Cobblers.

In response, Grimsby told BBC Look North: "We deplore any actions that are deemed to be of a racist nature, whether they are by a player, a member of staff or by a spectator.

"First and foremost he admitted it without any reservation and was extremely sorry for what he had done."

The 26-year-old midfielder was released by Grimsby earlier this week.