Orient skipper hit with ban
Leyton Orient captain John Mackie has been given a four-match ban by The FA.
Leyton Orient skipper John Mackie has been given a four-match ban for two breaches of Football Association rules following the last game of last season against Oxford United.The London side secured promotion to League One at The Kassam Stadium, but Mackie's behaviour following the victory for Martin Ling's side landed him in hot water with the footballing authorities.
The defender's punishments stem from his actions during a drugs test following the final whistle, and he was charged with breaching FA Rule E3 (1) whilst undergoing post-match drugs testing, using abusive and/or insulting and/or threatening words and/or behaviour and (2) improper conduct.
After admitting the charges Mackie was hit with a four-game ban as well as a £500 fine, but the club have been keen to stress that the disciplinary measure had nothing to do with any drugs offences, and that they may yet appeal the decision.
"At no point has it been suggested or implied that Mackie was guilty of any doping offences and the results of the test proved this.
"The club and John are considering an appeal against the sentence.
"Neither the club nor John will be making any further comment on the matter."
