Newcastle United are expected to appeal against Jonjo Shelvey’s five-match suspension and £100,000 Football Association fine after an independent disciplinary commission found the former England midfielder guilty of directing racially aggravated language towards an opponent.
That misconduct charge was imposed following allegations that arguably Rafael Benítez’s most influential player directed racially abusive language towards Romain Saïss, a Moroccan midfielder, in the 87th minute of the
2-0 Championship defeat by Wolverhampton Wanderers at St James’ Park on 17 September.
It is understood that at Tuesday’s hearing in Birmingham the three Wolves players called as witnesses gave slightly varying accounts of the alleged insult, with one claiming Shelvey had called Saïss “a smelly Arab”. Another witness is believed to have claimed he heard the word Arab attached to a different insult while the third is understood to have suggested he used the word “Moroccan” in a derogatory context.
Newcastle sources say Shelvey, who has also been ordered to attend an FA education course, continues to maintain his innocence and is adamant he did not use the words in question. It also appears the midfielder was taunted about his baldness before the incident but claims he did not rise to the bait.
/QUOTE]