Falkirk forward O’hara is handed eight-match ban for Shiels abuse

L Striker’s comments understood to be about Dunfermline player having one eye

0 Falkirk’s Kevin O’hara is believed to have verbally abused Dunfermline’s Dean Shiels about losing an eye. Shiels was later sent off for a tackle on Falkirk’s Joe Mckee. Falkirk forward Kevin O’hara has been banned for eight matches for verbally abusing Dunfermline’s Dean Shiels.

It is believed O’hara made comments relating to the fact that Shiels had an eye removed earlier in his career. The former Rangers and Northern Ireland midfielder underwent surgery in 2006 after losing sight in one eye in a domestic accident when he was eight years old.

O’hara, 19, received the suspension for “excessive misconduct” following a disciplinary hearing in front of a threeman panel convened by the Scottish Football Association.

A Falkirk spokesman said: “The club take note of the decision made by the Scottish FA Judicial Panel and are in the process of requesting the written reasons. No further comment will be made at this time.”

Another Falkirk player, Joe Mckee, faces a similar charge next week but O’hara had asked for his hearing to be brought forward.

The incident occurred during Falkirk’s 2-0 Irn-bru Cup victory over their arch-rivals on 7 October. Shiels was sent off deep into stoppage-time for a challenge on Mckee.

Speaking about the red card after the match, Dunfermline manager Allan Johnston said: “I think it was needless but there was maybe poor remarks getting made to Deano. It is something that we probably speak to him about. He shouldn’t react, no matter what is being said to him.”

The sides met again on Saturday and Dunfermline had two men sent off during a 1-1 Ladbrokes Championship draw at the Falkirk Stadium. Kallum Higginbotham was shown a second yellow card for a challenge on Mckee before Declan Mcmanus was sent off for pushing Aaron Muirhead after the defender had fouled Shiels.

The first meeting of the clubs this season also produced two red cards, with Falkirk pair Craig Sibbald and Lee Miller both sent off in a 3-1 league win for Dunfermline at East End Park in August.

The sides face each other again on 2 January in Fife.