FA Fines Lincoln City £8,500 Over Fans' Sectarian Abuse of Wrexham’s James McClean

Lincoln City has been fined £8,500 by the Football Association (FA) after fans directed sectarian chants at Wrexham player James McClean during a League One match at Sincil Bank on May 3. The FA found the club guilty of failing to control its supporters and imposed an action plan including developing an education program with anti-discrimination group Kick It Out, creating a reporting system for abuse, and establishing protocols to handle discriminatory behavior aimed at players, managers, and officials. Following an investigation involving CCTV review and cooperation with Lincolnshire Police, seven fans were banned for varying periods. Lincoln City chief executive Liam Scully accepted the charge and emphasized the club's commitment to eradicating negative behavior through education and sanctions while maintaining a vibrant and inclusive match atmosphere. The club plans to hold open meetings with fans to discuss conduct and inclusivity and is cooperating with the FA regarding similar alleged incidents during a recent Carabao Cup match. These efforts reflect Lincoln City's dedication to creating a welcoming environment and addressing misconduct by a minority of supporters.