Bury are charged by the FA and are ordered to play two matches behind closed doors, after 'offensive comments' were made by supporters during a match at Gigg Lane

Manchester FA have ordered Bury to play two matches behind closed doorsIt comes after 'offensive comments' were made by fans at a game in SeptemberWould Tottenham be clear at the top of the league if they hadn't lost some of their best players to injury? It's All Kicking Off

Bury have been issued with a two-game stadium closure and a £350 fine after two of the clubs supporters had reportedly made ‘offensive comments’ during a game at Gigg lane back in September.

The charges, made by Manchester FA, related to alleged racist and homophobic language and behaviour made by two individuals who were present during their 4-3 victory against West Didsbury & Chorlton in the North West Counties Football League.

The organisation released their disciplinary findings on the case this week and have charged Bury for a breach of FA Rule 21.1 after the club had ‘failed to ensure spectators and/or supporters conducted themselves in an orderly fashion.’

The disciplinary commission overseeing the case had also stated that ‘numerous previous misconduct findings against the club’ had contributed to the sanction that will see Bury play their next two home fixtures against Wythenshawe and Ramsbottom United behind closed doors.

A statement from Manchester FA read: ‘The Club admitted that it failed to ensure its supporters conducted themselves in an orderly fashion, and failed to ensure they did not use improper, offensive, violent, threatening, abusive, indecent, insulting and provocative language.

The Manchester FA have charged Bury after ‘offensive comments’ were made during a

The North West Counties Football League side will play their next two home games behind closed doors

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It added: ‘Sadly, for Bury FC, the poor behaviour has now escalated into a further finding of abusive behaviour that included discriminatory references.

‘The commission chair was left with no choice but to substantially increase the seriousness of the sanction passed against the club.’

The club have subsequently stated that they will appeal the decision, claiming that the punishment was ‘excessive’, but added that they had ‘accepted the facts of the incident.’

Bury wrote on their website: ‘Our grounds for appeal are limited. We have accepted the facts of the incident, and do not believe that we acted in a way which was anything other than responsible and measured.

On the appeal they added: ‘The basis of our appeal is that the punishment is excessive. We have seen multiple incidents over recent years of groups of supporters collectively issuing racist, misogynistic and homophobic abuse, as well as tragedy chanting.

Bury intend to appeal the charges against them that will also see them be fined £350 for the incident

The club added that they have ‘taken huge strides to improve diversity and inclusion’ of late

‘The loss of revenue is extremely damaging and our belief is that it would be far better to use that revenue to fund a campaign intended to positively promote diversity and inclusion. Football needs to change, this would help make that change.

They added: ‘We have taken huge strides to actively promote diversity and inclusion since forming the club and have raised money and awareness throughout the borough through the hard work of our volunteers, many of whom will be deeply dismayed by this judgement as it punishes them despite their efforts.

‘For this reason we intend to appeal. It is not because we are in any way dismissive of the issues involved.

‘The appeal process will take a number of weeks and we will continue to play in front of supporters during this period, and we will keep supporters updated as to any progress made as it happens.’