Blackpool boss Ian Holloway will have to watch his side’s next home game against Manchester City from the stands after receiving a one-match touchline ban.

The ban comes after Holloway admitted to swearing at referee Mike Dean in the tunnel after their last-minute 2-1 home defeat to Blackburn last month.

 

The former Leicester and Plymouth Argyle manager was also fined £9,500 for his improper conduct, which he later apologised for, by the FA.

Holloway hopes the ban won’t affect the performance of his players when they face City, who are second in the table, on Sunday.

He said: “My lads need me on the side, so if I am going to be punished up in the stand where I can't help them, what good is that to me and my team? So I have got to learn.”

The Seasiders currently sit in an impressive ninth place in the table but have yet to win on home soil this season, although they have won three games on their travels. A 4-0 opening day win at Wigan was followed by a 2-0 victory at Newcastle while two goals in front of the Kop also consigned Liverpool to defeat.