Avram Grant, the West Ham United manager, has been handed a two-match touchline ban and fined £6,000 for comments made about Mike Jones, the referee.
An Independent Regulatory Commission found the Israeli guilty of improper conduct relating to comments made to the media in the aftermath of the Hammers’ 2-1 FA Cup defeat to Stoke on March 13.
Grant’s ban will commence with immediate effect and means he will miss the Premier League clashes at Bolton Wanderers this weekend and at home to Aston Villa the following week.
West Ham are also investigating claims that the families of players Victor Obinna and Frederic Piquionne were racially abused by spectators at Saturday’s match against Manchester United.
Guests of the two strikers were reportedly involved in a confrontation with a small group of supporters during the 4-2 home defeat to the Premier League leaders and were racially abused while sitting in a box in the Main Stand.
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Obinna is Nigerian while Piquionne comes from the Caribbean island of Martinique.
“West Ham United are investigating the events around Saturday’s match against Manchester United after allegations of racist abuse,” a club statement said.
“The club takes such matters seriously and, with the Police, is reviewing CCTV footage and gathering witness information. Anyone found responsible will be dealt with appropriately.
“This is an isolated incident and our supporters, like the club, are proud of the positive relationship with Kick It Out - holding the Racial Equality Standard - and Show Racism the Red Card.
“West Ham United would like to restate the seven-point supporter plan it printed in Saturday’s matchday programme and also promoted on its matchday screens around the ground.”