O’Hara ban for verbal abuse of Pars player

Discipline: Abuse directed at Dean Shiels earns Falkirk forward eight-match ban

Falkirk forward Kevin O’Hara has been banned for eight matches for verbally abusing Dunfermline’s Dean Shiels.

Press Association Sport understands O’Hara made comments relating to the fact that Shiels had an eye removed earlier in his career.

The former Rangers and Northern Ireland midfielder underwent surgery in 2006 after losing sight in one eye in a domestic accident when he was eight years old.

O’Hara, 19, received the suspension for “excessive misconduct” following a disciplinary hearing in front of a threeman panel convened by the Scottish Football Association.

A Falkirk spokesman said: “The club take note of the decision made by the Scottish FA Judicial Panel and are in the process of requesting the written reasons.

“No further comment will be made at this time.”

Another Falkirk player, Joe McKee, faces a similar charge next week but O’Hara had asked for his hearing to be brought forward.

The incident occurred during Falkirk’s 2-0 Irn-Bru Cup victory over their arch-rivals on October 3.

Shiels was sent off deep into stoppagetime for a challenge on McKee.

Speaking about the red card after the match, Dunfermline manager Allan Johnston said: “I think it was needless but there was maybe poor remarks getting made to Deano.

“It is something that we probably speak to him about. He shouldn’t react, no matter what is being said to him.”

The Pars had two men sent off during a 1-1 Ladbrokes Championship draw with Falkirk on Saturday.

Kallum Higginbotham was shown a second yellow card for a challenge on McKee before Declan McManus was sent off after pushing Aaron Muirhead after the defender had fouled Shiels.

Picture: SNS. Kevin O’Hara at Hampden yesterday. He was handed an eight-match ban for excessive misconduct.