Crusaders' Thorndike to serve seven-game ban for spitting

Finley Thorndike's ban begins against with Crusaders' trip to Glenavon on 27 September

Crusaders will be without midfielder Finley Thorndike for their next seven games after the club lost an appeal over his suspension.

The former Glentoran player was shown a red card for spitting during his side's 4-0 defeat by Larne at Inver Park on 16 September.

A Crusaders spokesperson told BBC Sport NI: "We appealed the on-field decision and the disciplinary committee rejected it after investigation and the original decision stood"

It was alleged by Larne manager Gary Haveron that the dismissal was for a spit in the direction of midfielder Mark Randall.

"Unfortunately when Mark and him had a clash it looks like the lad [Thorndike] has turned around and spat in the player's [Randall's] direction," he told BBC Sport NI after the game.

"It's something you can't do. There shouldn't really be a place for it.

"It was a mistake from the lad. The referee was on hand and seen it, and it's up to him what he puts in his report."

While the appeal allowed the 23-year-old to feature in the 1-1 draw with Ballymena last week, his ban begins with Saturday's trip to Glenavon.