Grimsby midfielder Elliott Whitehouse banned for calling Irish player Alan McCormack 'a p***y'

Whitehouse received a six-game ban and a fine for his abuse of the Dubliner

Elliott Whitehouse has been slapped with a six-match ban and fined £2,000 by the English FA for calling Irish opponent Alan McCormack 'a p***y'.

McCormack, who plays for Northampton Town, made a complaint to the referee after Grimsby Town midfielder Whitehouse used the term against the Dubliner in the 72nd meeting of the League Two meeting of the clubs last November.

An independent regulatory commission heard evidence and while Whitehouse initially denied the accusation, he later pleaded guilty to a misconduct charge and admitted he had used insulting and/or offensive words.

Whitehouse, whose contract will not be renewed by Grimsby when it expires at the end of June, said in his defence that "he had no issue with the Irish Traveller community and is not in any way a racist".

Grimsby chairman Philip Day said: "The club deplores any actions that are deemed to be of a racist nature.

"We deplore any actions which are deemed to be of a racist nature, whether it is by a player, member of staff or a spectator. He admitted it without any reservation and was extremely sorry for what he had done."

The 26-year-old has been instructed to undertake an FA education course. 

An FA statement read: "The Grimsby Town FC midfielder used abusive and/or insulting words, which were contrary to FA Rule E3(1) and constituted an 'aggravated breach', which is defined in FA Rule E3(2), as they included a reference to race and/or ethnic origin and/or nationality."