LEYTON ORIENT’s Liam Kelly has been given a six-game ban after shoving a ball boy leading to a huge confrontation with Plymouth players and supporters.
The O’s midfielder was handed the punishment on Friday from the Football Association after shoving 17-year-old Jake McClean to the ground during the League Two clash on Tuesday.
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The incident was not spotted by the match officials, but an FA investigation has led to him receiving a hefty punishment.
A statement from the governing body said: “Leyton Orient’s Liam Kelly has been suspended for six matches with immediate effect following the game at Plymouth Argyle on 14 February 2017.
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“It was alleged he committed an act of violent conduct in the 86th minute which was not seen by the match officials but caught on video, contrary to FA Rule E3.
“Furthermore, The FA claimed that the standard punishment for the offence would be clearly insufficient.
“The player denied both the charge and the claim, however, following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing on Friday evening (17 February 2017), the case in respect of the charge of violent conduct was found proven.
“Furthermore, the Regulatory Commission considered the standard penalty to be insufficient and ordered he serve an additional three-match suspension, resulting in six matches in total.”
The ball boy did not ask for the 27-year-old to be banned, although the teen says he is disappointed at the “lack of respect” and says no attempt was made by Kelly to apologise.
And speaking to the Plymouth Herald, he insisted that he was not trying to slow the game down.
McClean said: £I went to retrieve the ball to throw it out for a corner and as I did that the Leyton Orient player (Kelly) came over to me and shoved me to the floor.
“I didn't feel as if I was going slow or having any impact on the game. For that to happen I just feel as if I didn't have any respect from the player for doing my job.
“I don't understand the 'heat of the moment' argument at all. I could understand it if I'd been trying to delay the game.
“What's disappointed me even more is after the game he didn't even try and find me to apologise or anything. It shows a lack of respect from the other team towards the ball boys.
“I can't turn around now and say I'd like to see the player get a ban. Obviously, it's not my decision on what happens. But for something to have an impact on the player so that he realises he has done something wrong would be good.”
Chelsea star Eden Hazard was punished for a similar offence when he was sent-off for kicking 17-year-old Swansea ball boy Charlie Morgan in 2013. The Belgian received a three-match ban for violent conduct.
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