Why Chesterfield boss Paul Cook won't be on touchline against Notts County

Cook was charged by the FA with three counts relating to his behaviour on the touchline and in the tunnel after the win against Scunthorpe United on Boxing Day. He was shown a red card and sent to the stands.

The 55-year-old has been given a two-match touchline ban, the first of which was served on Tuesday night against West Brom.

It means Cook will be in the stands this weekend as the Spireites host the league leaders.

Cook’s suspension still allows him to communicate with assistant manager Danny Webb and first-team coach Gary Roberts on the touchline.

“We got the notice through quite late from the FA,” Webb said.

“We are allowed constant contact with him via phones etc and that will be the same for Notts County.

“Me and Gary were certainly getting his messages on to the players through the communication we had.”

The ban is Cook’s second of the season, having already served a one-match suspension for accumulating four yellow cards.

An FA statement read: “Chesterfield FC’s Paul Cook was given a two-match touchline ban and £350 fine for three breaches of FA Rule E3.1 by an independent Regulatory Commission.

“The manager admitted that his language and behaviour in the 65th minute; following his dismissal; and in the tunnel area after the final whistle of their National League game against Scunthorpe United FC on Monday 26 December 2022 were abusive and improper.

“The independent Regulatory Commission imposed his sanctions during a subsequent hearing and its written reasons for them will be published in due course.”