English player sanctioned with a 10-match letter of intent for abuse towards an Irish official

Dundalk goalkeeper George Shelvey has been banned for ten matches by the League of Ireland following a red card he received during his team’s defeat to Drogheda on Monday night.

The Englishman, who joined Dundalk earlier this year, is said to have received the ban “for a breach of racism/discrimination rules” for “abuse of a match referee”.

The incident in question occurred after the final whistle of the match in Drogheda.

A statement about the League of Ireland said:

The FAI and the League of Ireland maintain a strict zero-tolerance approach to any acts of racism/discrimination and are committed to ensuring that League of Ireland matches remain a safe and welcoming environment for all.

In accordance with the FIFA Regulations and the FAI Disciplinary Regulations, George Shelvey will serve a ten-match suspension.

42 They report that the player called referee Rob Harvey an “Irish moron.”

Shelvey will now serve a ten-match ban, one of the longest in League of Ireland history.

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Dundalk goalkeeper punished for using discriminatory language

Dundalk have now also released their own statement on the matter.

In a statement on the club’s website, they said that while George Shelvey initially did not “understand the discriminatory aspect of his words”, the player has now accepted the sanction.

Following a process completed by the Independent Disciplinary Control Unit, Dundalk FC can confirm that George Shelvey has been suspended for 10 matches for using discriminatory language towards the referee at the end of the match against Drogheda United on 6 May.

The player attended the hearing of the Independent Disciplinary Control Unit today in which he explained that he deeply regrets the language he used towards the referee.

Although George realized very quickly that he had used inappropriate language, at first he did not understand the discriminatory aspect of his words.

However, having discussed the matter with club officials, he now fully accepts that his words were not only offensive, but also discriminatory.

Both George and the club accept the sanction imposed by the Independent Disciplinary Control Unit and will not appeal.

Going forward, Dundalk FC will work with George to develop his understanding of these issues. The club will not make any further comments on the matter at this time.

George Shelvey has made nine appearances in the League of Ireland Premier Division this season, although he will now miss much of the campaign as a result of this suspension.

Dundalk currently sit bottom of the league having won just one of their first 14 matches.

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