Gillingham react to Garath McCleary’s two-game ban after being found guilty of diving to win a penalty at Bromley in League 2 clash

Gillingham say they are “frustrated and disappointed” in the decision by the FA to issue a ban to winger Garath McCleary for simulation.

The Football Association charged the 38-year-old with “a clear act of simulation” when he won a 94th-minute penalty at Bromley, which the Gills subsequently scored from through Max Clark, to level the match at 2-2.

The FA’s regulatory commission found the charge to be proven following a hearing and imposed a two-match ban on the winger.

The Gills reacted to the decision and a statement said: “Both the club and Garath strongly refute the claim that there was a deliberate attempt to deceive the match official.

“Garath has been a professional footballer for the best part of 20 years, in which time he has never received even a caution for simulation or any similar offence.

“Whilst we accept there may be a debate as to whether a penalty should have been awarded or not, to suggest any wrongdoing on Garath’s part seems unfair and inappropriate.

The club’s managing director, Joe Comper, added: “We’re both frustrated and disappointed in the decision by the FA to charge Garath and the subsequent Regulatory Commission to uphold the decision.

“There is very little precedent for this sort of punishment, especially when it was acknowledged by a member of the panel that Garath could have been awarded a foul in the build up to the incident that has knocked him off balance whilst running at 28.8kph.”

Comper continued: "We must accept the decision and adapt accordingly, but we do look forward to seeing the same energy put into investigating future incidents across the EFL this season when the referee’s decisions are questionable."

On Thursday, Gills boss Gareth Ainsworth had admitted they were fortunate