The Rochdale striker Calvin Andrew has been banned for 12 matches after an incident against Oldham – one of the longest suspensions in Football League history.
The Football Association said the former Luton, Crystal Palace and Port Vale player “was involved in an act of violent conduct in or around the 77th minute of the game”, which Rochdale won 1-0. It is believed the incident concerned the Oldham defender Peter Clarke, who was struck by an elbow near the edge of his six-yard box as a Rochdale attack broke down close to the corner flag.
The FA’s statement said the incident was not seen by the match officials but caught on video: “It was alleged the standard punishment of three matches that would otherwise apply would be clearly insufficient. The player admitted his behaviour constituted violent conduct but denied the clearly insufficient element of the charge. However, this was found proven following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing.”
Andrew, who signed a new one-year contract in the summer having moved to Rochdale in 2014, will not play again this year.
Only Eric Cantona has been given a more hefty sentence after the Manchester United forward was banned for nine months in 1995 for striking a Crystal Palace supporter. Joey Barton was also banned for 12 matches in 2012 for two charges of violent conduct in QPR’s 3-2 defeat at Manchester City.
