Oxford United boss Ian Atkins is "disgusted" by the six-game ban and £750 imposed on him by the Football Association - and that opinion has been supported by the person he was found guilty of offending.

Ian Atkins Atkins was charged with using foul and abusive language towards the Bristol City management, but City boss Danny Wilson says that he cannot understand why such a hefty ban has been placed on United's manager.

The incident in question happened during United's 1-0 victory at Ashton Gate in the first round of the Worthington Cup in September, following the dismissal of Andy Scott.

Atkins was sent to the stand by referee Trevor Parkes after disputing the decision.

But although he was supported by a letter from Wilson, the disciplinary committee found the former Northampton and Carlisle boss guilty.

"I'm disgusted by the result," Atkins said.

"I had evidence from Danny Wilson to support me, and the case against was pretty weak, so I thought the result was unbelievable.

"But I have to be careful what I say, and can't comment any further at the moment."

Wilson supported the view that the penalty was unfair.

"I was asked to give my observations as to what happened, and I did that in writing," he said. "I think it is a very harsh sentence indeed.

An FA's spokesperson said that she understood the severity of the sentence was reached after taking into account Atkins's poor record.

"I cannot go into too many details, but I can confirm that Ian Atkins has committed six offences in the last five years," she said.

"There were various offences in 1999 and 2000, and I can only presume that the panel decided that they had to clamp down and try to stop a repeat of the incident happening again."

Atkins has 14 days in which to appeal against the ban, which will start on November 25.

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