EFL star Sam Finley slapped with 13-GAME ban and fined for ‘discriminatory abuse regarding sexual orientation’
TRANMERE ROVERS star Sam Finley has been hit with a 13-MATCH suspension for an “aggravated breach” of FA rules.
The midfielder, 32, admitted using “abusive and or insulting” language, with a homophobic comment to Walsall striker Jamille Matt during a League Two clash on January 11.
Finley ended up getting sent off in that 5-1 away defeat after just 38 minutes.
He saw red after two quick bookings, the second for handball.
Jamaican ace Matt had tormented Rovers with the first of his two goals, with the then table-toppers 2-0 up when Finley was dismissed.
The Liverpudlian accepted he had breached by making his comment, which has resulted in the FA handing him a mammoth suspension and £2,000 fine.
It’s his SECOND offence of this kind following a four-game suspension and fine in February 2016.
That was for a homophobic remark to a referee while playing for AFC Fylde.
Finley was also fined and banned for eight matches – reduced from 11 – for an offensive comment to a Rochdale player in April 2020 when he was with Accrington Stanley.
Tranmere reacted to Friday’s verdict by saying they “condemn all forms of discrimination and will deal with the matter internally”.
The FA released a statement explaining their decision.
It read: “An independent Regulatory Commission has imposed a 13-match suspension, £2,000 fine and mandatory education programme on Sam Finley for a breach of FA Rule E3 during the EFL fixture between Tranmere Rovers and Walsall on Saturday 11 January 2025.
” It was alleged that the midfielder’s language towards a Walsall player around the 23rd minute was abusive and/or insulting and/or improper contrary to FA Rule E3.1.
“It was further alleged that this constitutes an ‘aggravated breach’, which is defined in FA Rule E3.2, as it included a reference – whether express or implied – to sexual orientation.
“Sam Finley subsequently admitted the charge against him.”
Tranmere responded with a statement of their own.
Rovers said Finley had admitted the “charge of misconduct”.
Finley’s ban starts immediately – ruling him out of Rovers’ run-in as they fight to to stay in the EFL.
Tranmere are just four points above the drop zone ahead of Saturday’s home clash with Crewe.
Finley had a spell at Everton as a youngster before cutting his teeth in non-league and TNS in Wales.
After a loan spell at Wrexham, he went on to play for Fylde, Accrington, Fleetwood and Bristol Rovers, who he helped to promotion in 2022, before signing for Tranmere last summer.
Finley has appeared 37 times this term for the Prenton Park outfit, scoring twice but picking up ten bookings and a red card