Kirk Broadfoot given record 10-game ban for verbally abusing James McClean during Rotherham match against Wigan

McClean has since moved to West Brom after the incident happened in a Championship match between Rotherham and Wigan last season

Rotherham defender Kirk Broadfoot has been banned for 10 games (Getty Images)

Rotherham defender Kirk Broadfoot has been banned for 10 matches after a misconduct charge against him was found proven by the Football Association.

The incident occurred during a Sky Bet Championship clash between the Millers and Wigan on March 14 of this year.

An Independent Regulatory Commision hearing deemed the Scot had "used abusive/and or insulting words towards a member of the opposition, in breach of FA Rule E3(1)."

An FA statement added: "It was further alleged that the breach was an 'Aggravated Breach' as defined by Rule E3(2)."

Broadfoot, 30, was also fined £7,500 and ordered to complete an education programme.

It is reported that the incident involved James McClean, recently transferred to West Brom, with Broadfoot unhappy at the award of a free-kick which he felt the Republic of Ireland international had dived to win.

Wigan scored from the resulting free-kick, and after that game Broadfoot told the Sheffield Star: "He's cheating. That is cheating. I am nowhere near him and he's diving."

The ban is a record for verbal abuse in English football, beating the eight games handed to Luis Suarez when he was found guilty of racially abusing Patrice Evra in December 2011.

PA