The Irish Football Association’s Disciplinary Committee has upheld a decision to suspend Cliftonville player Jason McGuinness for six matches.
A challenge was submitted by Cliftonville FC in which the club claimed the referee made an obvious error in dismissing McGuinness for a headbutt during their NIFL Premiership match against Portadown FC on 10 December 2016.
McGuinness subsequently served an automatic one-match ban and was then suspended by the committee for a further six matches for violent conduct (headbutt).
At a meeting yesterday evening, members of the committee heard an appeal from Cliftonville against the six-match ban. They considered written and verbal submissions from both the club and the refereeing team. Video footage of the incident was also viewed several times.
The committee was not satisfied that an obvious error had occurred and Cliftonville’s challenge was therefore refused and the sanction upheld.
The six-match suspension imposed upon Jason McGuinness will begin on Monday 30 January.
Cliftonville FC have a right of appeal under Article 14 of the Irish FA’s Articles of Association.
