Two footballers banned from British racecourses after Cheltenham incident
Monday 22 August 2016 20:38, UK
MK Dons' Samir Carruthers and Crawley Town's James Collins have received nationwide bans from racecourses by the British Horseracing Authority.
Carruthers and Collins - who was on loan at Northampton Town at the time from Shrewsbury Town - were photographed at the Cheltenham Festival in March appearing to urinate on a balcony while surrounded by racegoers.
Other images appeared to show a glass of liquid being poured over the railing by Collins as Carruthers, wearing a grey flat cap and waistcoat, grins. Cheltenham organisers cancelled the booking of a group of players for day two of the event following the incident.
Former Republic of Ireland international Carruthers apologised for his behaviour on Sky Sports News HQ, and he was subsequently fined two weeks' wages and banned for one match by his then Championship club, with MK Dons manager Karl Robinson saying the punishment was a fair one.
Collins, who was also fined two weeks' wages and issued a public apology, has the option to appeal his racecourse ban after two years, while Carruthers can appeal after a year.
TV personalities Jessica Hayes and Katie Salmon have also been banned following their behaviour at the meeting, and will be able to appeal after three years.
BHA spokeswoman Rosie Margarson said: "The British Horseracing Authority is responsible for protecting the proper conduct and good reputation of horseracing in this country.
"As a result of their behaviour at Cheltenham racecourse, the BHA applied to its disciplinary officer to have Katie Salmon, Jessica Hayes, Samir Carruthers and James Collins excluded from all licensed premises, including all racecourses in Great Britain.
"The disciplinary officer was satisfied on the evidence put before him that all individuals should be excluded from the sport."
