Heavy ban issued to player for 'assaulting a match official'

A player from Sporting BJD who was involved in an incident where a match official was assaulted in a game earlier this month has received a five year ban from all football related activity.

The incident, which happened after 85 minutes of a game against Dundalk side Bay FC, saw the referee requiring medical attention after a 'kung fu style kick'.

The sentence was handed down by an independent disciplinary committee.

The club had previously been fined €500 and docked 10 points for the incident.

The FAI say the decision may be appealed.

In a statement the FAI condemned attacks on match officials, saying they "would like to reaffirm our strong condemnation of any act or threat of violence against match officials."