Tranmere Rovers midfielder Sam Finley has received a 13-match suspension for making a homophobic remark directed at an opposing player.

The 27-year-old midfielder admitted to a Football Association charge of inappropriate conduct after making comments to Walsall striker Jamil Mata during a League Two match in January.

Finley was issued a red card in the 38th minute of the match—which ultimately resulted in a 5-1 loss for Tranmere—after accumulating two yellow cards.

In addition to his suspension, he has been fined £2,000 (€2,342) and required to complete an educational program, following a hearing with the Independent Regulatory Commission.

In a statement, the club asserted that it “condemns all forms of discrimination and will address the situation internally.”

This lengthy suspension surpasses the standard 12-game limit for serious offenses involving “offensive, indecent or abusive words or conduct,” due to Finley’s prior infractions.

He had previously faced penalties for a similar homophobic comment made to a referee in February 2016 while with AFC Fylde, resulting in a four-match ban and a fine.

Additionally, he was suspended for eight games (initially 11 but reduced) and fined for making an offensive comment towards a Rochdale player while at Akron Stanley in April 2020.

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