Overview

• Joshua Haigh, Rochdale head groundsman, has received a six-week suspension and £2,000 fine from the Football Association for racial abuse towards a BBC reporter.
• Initially, Rochdale had offered full support to Haigh but an independent commission found him guilty of an 'aggravated breach' of Football Association Rule E3.
• The incident occurred after a game against Stockport when the reporter walked across the pitch to conduct post-match interviews, with Haigh expressing annoyance and later confronting the reporter.
• Haigh has also been ordered to undertake an FA education course, has been warned about his future conduct and must pay towards the commission's costs.
• Despite denying the charges, the commission ruled Haigh as an improbable witness and found him guilty based on likelihood, he maintains the right to appeal against this ruling.