Swindon Town manager Ian Holloway has been hit with a two-match touchline ban for over ‘offensive, insulting or abusive language’, just two weeks after revealing he had banned himself from swearing.
Holloway was sent off for the second time this season during Swindon’s 3-0 defeat by Colchester on April 10, a result that damaged their play-off push.
The 63-year-old was shown the red card in the 82nd minute over comments made to the fourth official.
The Football Association confirmed Holloway had been hit by a two-match ban following the incident, with the Swindon boss’s conduct after his dismissal also highlighted.
‘An independent Regulatory Commission has imposed a two-match touchline ban and £1,000 fine on lan Holloway for misconduct during the EFL League Two fixture between Swindon Town and Colchester United on Friday 10 April,’ a statement read.
‘It was alleged that the manager used offensive, insulting or abusive language around the 82nd minute, which led to his dismissal, and that he allegedly acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour towards a match official after being sent off.
Swindon Town boss Ian Holloway has been hit with a two-game touchline ban
‘lan Holloway admitted the charges against him, and the Regulatory Commission imposed his sanctions following a hearing.’
Holloway had initially contested the charges, with the Swindon Advertiser reporting he had received assistance from the League Managers Association after what he had perceived to be ‘unfair treatment of him’.
The two-match ban followed Holloway having been dismissed earlier this season during Swindon’s 1-1 draw with Bristol Rovers.
Speaking on March 27 – two weeks before his dismissal against Colchester – Holloway had revealed he implemented a swearing ban in an attempt to boost his side’s chances of promotion.
His self-imposed ban followed a conversation with midfielder Darren Oldaker.
‘It was about time, I have always thought it was fine in football, and then I take that home and my wife has the downside of it. I have gone nine days without it,’ Holloway told the Swindon Advertiser.
‘It is everywhere. I have not sworn here or at home. I am cracking jokes, I am in a really good mood.
‘I feel a lot better, I have let go of the angst that I had about Luton, the FA, the EFL, the referees, and everyone in life who is Marmite towards me. I have let all of that go.
Holloway was sent off for offensive language during Swindon’s 3-0 defeat at Colchester earlier this month, two weeks after revealing he had implemented a self-imposed swearing ban
‘I feel great. I have been watching Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse: Gone Fishing, and I am relating a lot to that.
‘There are some wonderful things in it, and you have joy sitting in your front room looking at the places they have been watching bumblebees.
‘I just love fun, and they make me laugh. You have to find your good place, and I have definitely found my good place trying to help this lot get over the line.’
Holloway will now be forced to watch Swindon’s upcoming match with Chesterfield from the stands.
Swindon are currently one point outside the play-off places, with the ban meaning Holloway would also be absent from the touchline should they participate.
