Lincoln City have been fined for fans abusing Wrexham’s James McClean

The English Football Association fined Lincoln City FC £8,500 after its fans directed sectarian chants against one of the opposing team’s players.

The FA said the club failed to control fans after Wrexham’s James McClean was subjected to verbal abuse in two incidents during a match at Sincil Bank on May 3.

In addition to the fine, the FA have imposed an action plan on the Imps to try to stop future incidents that could see the club face further sanctions.

Chief executive Liam Scally said: “We accept the charge, recognize our responsibility, and remain firmly committed to eliminating negative behavior through a combination of education and sanctions.”

The FA said in its report that the two incidents were reported by the anti-racism group Kick It Out on May 7.

The FA said in response to the report that the club reviewed surveillance cameras, contacted Lincolnshire Police and conducted interviews with supervisors.

The FA added that “a number of fans have been identified as perpetrators” and “seven individuals have been banned from entering the club for various periods.”

Measures in the action plan include creating a system allowing fans to report abuse, developing an education program in collaboration with the Kick It Out campaign, and developing a “protocol to deal with abuse targeting players, managers and match officials”.

Speaking to BBC Radio Lincolnshire, Scully said he hoped to hold a town hall meeting with fans to “listen to fans’ experiences”.

“I think it’s really important that we then work on education and sanctions,” he said.

“Using these two compounds together as the right combination and the right combination in order to address this in the future.”

He added: “I think it’s about striking that balance between making sure we have that great atmosphere that we do and not sterilizing the games, which is certainly the last thing we want to do, but I don’t think those things are mutually exclusive.

“I believe and know that we can have an inclusive environment where everyone is happy, everyone is fun, everyone is welcome and the great atmosphere that we have at Sincil Bank as well.”

The club said it was also in talks with the FA “in relation to similar alleged behavior during the Carabao Cup match against Chelsea last month”.

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