Coach banned for racial slur against own player

Ljubljana - The Slovenia Football Association has suspended the coach of the club first-division leader for seven matches for making a racial slur.

Olimpija Ljubljana's Marko Nikolic abused one of his own players, Blessing Eleke, after the Nigerian scored an extra time equalizer against Zavrc at home for 1-1 on Sunday.

Nikolic, a Serb, was also caught on camera as saying "look at that idiot" while Eleke celebrated.

Nikolic said he never intended to offend the player racially, and was unhappy that the long celebration meant there was no time for a winner. He apologized to Eleke.

Olimpija refused to suspend the coach, but the FA said it acted "because of clear racism."

The suspension meant Nikolic is banned to the end of the season.