CARL MAGNAY’S six-game ban for spitting will stand after Hartlepool United opted against appealing the Football Association’s ruling.

The Pools midfielder was sent-off in the defeat at Wycombe, for which he was suspended for three-games.

But an FA commission last Thursday ruled the former Gateshead and Chelsea man was guilty of spitting at Wycombe fans after one Chairboys’ supporter made an official complaint days after the game.

Pools’ defended the player at the hearing and he continues to have the club’s unequivocal backing and support.

The club on Tuesday received the written explanation from the FA commission and, after taking legal advice on the report, feel they cannot appeal the outcome. As a result, Magnay will miss the next six games.

Privately, the club is unhappy at the situation and feel that the evidence, from a single Wycombe supporter, was neither reliable or consistent enough to bring about a charge of such magnitude.

Boss Ronnie Moore said: “Carl’s ban will stand. We have the FA reason and we know why he’s been banned. We have taken legal advice on it and, unfortunately, we feel we cannot appeal it on the advice we have been given.

“If anyone had a chance to look at the footage and see what they are talking about, then it’s very harsh to get three games for a sending-off which was debatable anyway.

“Then the spitting at, or in the vicinity of supporters, you know if someone spits on you there’s a reaction – you look at the DVD and there’s no reaction.

“So it’s harsh, but we have to take it and move on.

“We lose him for six games and he was fantastic against Luton – the crowd got behind him. He can play in a few positions and it leaves us short.’’

Magnay last week deleted his long-standing Twitter account after receiving abuse on social media and the player is considering what he can do next after speaking to the Professional Footballers’ Association and taking professional advice on the matter.