Chesterfield manager handed three-match touchline ban and a £3,000 fine for improper conduct

Chesterfield manager Paul Cook will be missing from the dugout for this week’s match at Bristol Rovers as part of his punishment from the FA for misconduct.

He has been given a three-match touchline ban and a £3,000 fine for his behaviour in last month’s League Two defeat at Newport County.

The disqualification also includes next Saturday’s home league date against Shrewsbury Town and the away match at Swindon on Saturday, November 26.

It was alleged that at half time the manager’s behaviour was improper and/or he used abusive and/or insulating words towards a match official, leading to his dismissal, and again afterwards.

Cook admitted his guilt and the matter went to a hearing of the independent Regulatory Commission which imposed the sanctions.

The Spireites chief had been incensed that no action was taken when a Newport player appeared to stop a goal-bound shot with his hand in the first half. He was also upset that a Chesterfield ‘goal’ was wrongly in his opinion chalked off for offside.

Cook told the Derbyshire Times a few days later that he expected a ban and a fine.

“I will take my punishment. I have no problem with my punishment,” he said.