Clarke was responsible for violating act, says FA

THE Football Association have laid bare the reasons behind Swindon Town captain Ollie Clarke’s seven-match suspension - revealing how a Cardiff City player was left “emotional” and “struggling to speak” after what an independent disciplinary panel described as a “highly-invasive” and “violating” act.

- GLEN WILLIAMS Football writer

Clarke was handed the lengthy ban in December following two separate incidents during Swindon’s Carabao Cup first-round defeat at Cardiff on August 12.

While the punishment itself was confirmed last month, the FA have now published their full written reasons, which outline why the Regulatory Commission deemed the midfielder’s actions to be so serious.

According to the FA, former Bristol Rovers man Clarke admitted two charges of misconduct under Rule E3 in relation to incidents in the 57th and 94th minutes of the tie. The commission concluded both were intentional acts of improper and indecent behaviour towards Cardiff players.