A former Lincoln City player has been banned and fined after admitting to verbally abusing another player.

Elliott Whitehouse, a popular midfielder during the early stages of Danny Cowley's reign, confessed to calling Northampton Town striker Alan McCormack 'a pikey' during his side Grimsby Town's League Two clash against the Cobblers in November last year.

The midfielder denied using the term at the time of the incident, but later admitted that he had and pleaded guilty to a misconduct charge that he used insulting and/or offensive words, reports BBC.

At a FA hearing, an exchange between the pair revealed Whitehouse called the striker a "pikey".

In the FA hearing, Whitehouse said that ‘pikey’ was not the term he would use, ordinarily, to describe a member of the travelling community, reports Grimsby Live.

However, he thought the term was simply an alternative to 'gypsy' and he had no idea until the interview with the FA that it was particularly offensive or insulting.

He admitted to using the word and apologised.

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Whitehouse has been banned for six matches and fined £2,000 and will also have to undergo an FA education course.

His future in the game is now uncertain after Grimsby Live revealed the player has also been told his contract at the Imps' local rivals will not be renewed.

Grimsby chairman Philip Day said: "The club deplores any actions that are deemed to be of a racist nature."