Kevin O’Hara handed EIGHT-match ban for ‘abusing Dunfermline star Dean Shiels over his missing eye’
Ex-Rangers and Northern Ireland star Shiels, 32, lost sight in his right eye in a domestic accident when he was eight
FALKIRK striker Kevin O'Hara has been banned for EIGHT matches for mocking Dunfermline's Dean Shiels over his missing eye.
It means he O'Hara will not play again this year - with his return set to be against Shiels in an away clash with the Pars on January 2.
Ex- and Northern Ireland star Shiels, 32, lost sight in his right eye in a domestic accident when he was eight.
Shiels, who played in Arsenal's academy, bravely resumed playing after an op to have the eye removed in 2006.
He was suffering pain from a build-up of burst blood vessels and now has a false eye following the surgery.
Hampden beaks issued notices of complaint to Joe McKee, 25, and O’Hara, 19, over the flashpoint during an Irn-Bru Cup tie last month.
O’Hara faced a disciplinary hearing at Hampden today, with the case against midfielder McKee to be heard next week.
The duo were charged with 'excessive misconduct' after the alleged verbal abuse was highlighted by ref Steven McLean after the October 7 clash.
Today, a Falkirk statement read: "The club take note of the decision made by the Scottish FA Judicial Panel and are in the process of requesting the written reasons."
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SunSport understands McKee and O’Hara have been aware of the investigation for almost a month.
But SFA top brass agreed to a request from the clubs to delay a full-scale probe until after the teams met again in the league last weekend.
Shiels landed a red card from ref McLean in the October 7 cup tie for a wild challenge on McKee.
boss Allan Johnston said after the match: “I think there were maybe some poor remarks made towards Dean.”
SFA compliance officer Tony McGlennan probed the alleged abuse, and published the charges against the duo.
They have been carpeted over Disciplinary Rule 202 — no player shall commit excessive misconduct at a match.
