Dundalk FC midfielder Conor Clifford has been handed a six month worldwide ban from football for betting offences relating to his time in England.
The former Chelsea player, who scored in Dundalk’s 4-2 Leinster Senior Cup final loss to Shelbourne on Wednesday, will not be able to play football again until April 2nd 2018.
His ban was confirmed by the FAI in a statement this evening.
It read: “The Football Association of Ireland can confirm that Dundalk FC player Conor Clifford has received a six-month worldwide suspension from all football-related activities for betting offences.
“The player is suspended from October 3, 2017 through to April 2, 2018 and was fined £600 by the English Football Association for 112 breaches of FA Rule E8, in which he admitted the charge. All offences were committed in the United Kingdom.
“The ruling by FIFA was communicated to the FAI on Friday, October 6th.”
Dundalk travel to Donegal to face Finn Harps tomorrow but Clifford was due to miss that game through suspension anyway due to picking up five yellow cards.
In a statement on the matter Dundalk FC said: “The charges all refer to a time before Conor signed for Dundalk Football Club and there is no suggestion at all that he continued to place bets after joining the club.
“Since we were made aware of this matter we have co-operated fully with the Football Association in their investigation.
“These events took place during an unhappy period of Conor’s time in England. The club have assisted Conor throughout this process and will continue to provide appropriate support.
“Dundalk Football Club fully supports efforts to maintain the integrity of the sport to ensure that players and officials do not place bets on any matches.”
