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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Lochlin Highet

Kilmarnock striker Kyle Lafferty hit with 'substantial fine' after alleged sectarian comment

Kyle Lafferty has been hit with a "substantial fine" by Kilmarnock, and he will work closely with anti-sectarian charity Nil by Mouth.

The striker was sent home from Northern Ireland duty after a clip appeared on social media of an alleged sectarian comment made by him, and a club investigation was subsequently launched.

He's been issued a notice of complaint from the SFA, after being adjudged to have breached disciplinary rules 77 and 81.

Rule 77 states "A recognised football body, club, official, team official, other member of team staff, player, match official or other person under the jurisdiction of the Scottish FA shall, at all times, act in the best interests of Association Football."

Rule 81 states: "No recognised football body, club, official, team official, other member of team staff, player, match official or other person under the jurisdiction of the Scottish FA shall (i) use offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or actions which include(s) a reference, whether express or implied to one or more of the following ethnic religion, colour, race, nationality, religion or belief."

A club statement read: "Kilmarnock Football Club has concluded its investigation into an alleged comment made by Kyle Lafferty which was circulated across social media via a video recording on Thursday, September 22.

"The club can confirm that Kyle regrets his actions and acknowledges that he has let down himself, his family, the club and the supporters.

"Kilmarnock Football Club has subsequently taken internal action, including the serving of a substantial fine. The club has also engaged Scotland’s leading anti-sectarian charity, Nil By Mouth, which will work closely with Kyle on a one-to-one basis, in addition to delivering training to our first team squad and academy squad members, to provide education which the charity believes is key to tackling sectarianism in society.

"Kyle has also committed to supporting the club’s community projects which will see him participating in Nil by Mouth’s educational initiatives, in addition to serving Kilmarnock’s ‘Football for All’ programmes on a weekly basis for the foreseeable future.

"A notice of complaint has now been served and received by the club from the compliance officer at the Scottish FA with regards to the player, Kyle Lafferty.

"This hearing will be heard on Thursday, October 20. The club will now focus on fully cooperating with the Scottish FA’s investigation.

"Kilmarnock Football Club would like to thank Nil By Mouth for their ongoing support in this matter."

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