The Football Association of Ireland have this evening confirmed that Dundalk midfielder Conor Clifford has been given a six-month worldwide suspension from football for breaching betting regulations.
The ban was handed down by FIFA, and it relates to Clifford's gambling activities when living in the UK. Here is the FAI's statement on the matter:
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 6.
Clifford had been playing with Boreham Wood in England before returning home to join Stephen Kenny's Lilywhites. The suspension came into effect three days ago, meaning Clifford will miss the final four games of the league season along with the FAI Cup semi-final replay with Shamrock Rovers.
