Blackpool Football Club have been fined £35,000 after Wigan’s James McClean was subjected to sectarian abuse during the Championship match between the two clubs in April this year.
The Football Association charged Blackpool FC with failing to ensure their fans behaved in an orderly fashion during the game at Bloomfield Road.
The club accepted the charge and an independent regulatory commission imposed the fine.
Both the Tangerines and Latics were relegated to League One last season.
Blackpool FC said in a statement: “We failed to ensure that spectators and/or supporters (and anyone purporting to be its followers or supporters) conduct themselves in an orderly fashion whilst attending the match and do not use words or otherwise behave in a way which is improper, offensive, abusive, indecent or insulting with either express or implied reference to religion.
“The club has a zero-tolerance policy towards discriminatory abuse of all kinds and fully condemns the conduct of any supporters who subject others to any form of abuse.
“Those responsible may be committing a criminal offence and moving forward will, if identified, be ejected and banned.
“As a result of the incident which took place in the early stages of this particular fixture, the club has been found guilty of misconduct under FA rules.
“As well as a £35,000 fine, an action plan has now been imposed to deter a recurrence of any further misconduct.
“Should an incident such as this happen again, further implications could be imposed such as increased financial sanctions or the possibility of fixtures taking place behind closed doors.
“Blackpool Football Club will treat this matter with the utmost severity and intends to develop existing initiatives to become a more inclusive and proactive club, both at home and away fixtures.
“In an effort to make Bloomfield Road a more welcomin environment for those of all backgrounds, the Club launched the Report It App earlier this year, designed for supporters to report concerns and events of discriminatory behaviour anonymously,” the statement concluded.
James McClean and wife Erin back home in Creggan last month for street party to celebrate his 100 cap for the Republic
Thirteen people were murdered when British Paratroopers opened fire on unarmed civilian protestors in the city. A 14th person died later from their injuries.
McClean has also previously said he is upset about the impact the abuse has on his wife Erin and their three young children, who watch his matches either on television or in the stands.
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