Overview
- The FA’s independent regulatory commission released partly redacted reasons describing Clarke’s conduct as highly violating and intentional foul play.
- The incidents occurred in Swindon’s Carabao Cup tie at Cardiff on August 12, at the 57th and 94th minutes, with one Cardiff player reported as visibly upset to the referee after full-time.
- The panel set a starting point of nine matches, applied the principle of totality, and imposed a seven-match ban plus a £2,750 fine.
- The commission said such indecency required a minimum sporting sanction of six matches and one week’s wages, and it found no plausible explanation for touching opponents’ private parts when play was not in motion.
- Swindon says Clarke maintained his innocence and only admitted the charges as unintentional, continues to support him, and the ban has been in effect since December 19 with three matches reported remaining.