Bohemians defender Jason McGuinness has received a five-match ban after being found guilty of racially abusing Sligo Rovers’ Romauld Boco during the teams’ April 18 tie at the Showgrounds. The FAI’s Independent Disciplinary Committee imposed the ban in accordance with FAI rules 73 and 89, according to a statement. He was also separately fined one week’s wages by his club as a result.The ban will come into effect from May 20, meaning McGuinness will still be eligible to play in Friday night’s clash with Derry City at the Brandywell. Show Racism the Red Card welcome the measures enforced. The Football Association of Ireland and the Professional Footballer’s Association of Ireland are to be commended in the way this matter has been handled, in that they ensured due process and definitive outcomes are apparent as a result of the incident.Co-ordinator Garrett Mullan said: ‘While the incident was unfortunate, it is the case that the outcome and consequences being incurred indicate that the FAI and the League of Ireland are consistent with their anti-racism stance. We are also happy that Jason Mc Guinness apologised to the player involved and this was accepted as genuine’. He added: ‘The FAI and the club have set a standard for response to racism and racism within football in particular. This decision should send out a message to all that racism is not acceptable and where it is identified tough action will follow, so as to ensure that football offers a level playing field for all’. He further added: ”Racism is not particular to sport although there have been high profile incidences. Racism is a feature of society and in Ireland according to an ESRI report, one in three immigrants have experienced racism while one in four teachers have witnessed racism in their school in the last month. The standards set by the FAI will hopefully be followed by others. Action against racism in all spheres must come in the form of sanctions, but education is crucial to ensuring the message hits home’.
