Kirk Broadfoot: Rotherham United defender banned for 10 games

Kirk Broadfoot made 27 appearances for Rotherham last season

Rotherham United's Kirk Broadfoot has been banned for 10 matches by the Football Association after he was found guilty of misconduct.

Reports suggest the 30-year-old former Rangers defender received the ban for sectarian abuse of winger James McClean in the game between the Millers and Wigan in March.

McClean, 26, is a Catholic while Broadfoot is a Protestant.

Rotherham are not planning to comment on the suspension.

It is reported that Broadfoot was unhappy with the award of a free-kick against him for a foul on the Republic of Ireland international from which Wigan scored, and afterwards accused McClean of diving.

The FA said in a statement: "The charge was that during a league fixture between Rotherham and Wigan Athletic on 14 March 2015 Broadfoot used abusive and/or insulting words towards a member of the opposition, in breach of FA Rule E3(1).

"It was further alleged that the breach was an 'aggravated breach' as defined by Rule E3(2).

"Broadfoot was also fined £7,500 and ordered to complete an education programme."

Rule E(2) involves a reference to "ethnic origin, colour, race, nationality, religion or belief, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation or disability".

It is the longest ban to have been handed out by the governing body for verbal abuse.

Then-Liverpool striker Luis Suarez was banned for eight matches in 2011 for racially abusing Manchester United full-back Patrice Evra.