Kyle Lafferty faces TEN-match ban as Kilmarnock star hit with SFA notice of complaint over ‘sectarian language’ video
KYLE LAFFERTY is facing an SFA ban of TEN games after being charged over his 'sectarian language' video.
The Kilmarnock striker has been issued with a notice of complaint from the compliance officer after a video shared on social media appeared to show the frontman using the term 'fenian b******' when tricked by a Celtic fan in a nightclub.
He's been charged a breach of disciplinary rules 77 and 81 on the new SFA protocols.
The first talks of "threatening, abusive, indecent or insulting words or behaviour" while the second governs "race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation or disability" and carries a MANDATORY ten game ban if he is found guilty of the offence.
A hearing date has now been set with the SFA of Thursday October 20 - with the star set to be out until the turn of the year if the case against him is proved.
Kilmarnock were swift to announce that they had launched a probe into the incident.
And now Rugby Park boss McInnes admitted the club were liaising with the Scottish FA when he was quizzed on the subject at today's press conference.
He said he COULDN'T confirm as of yet whether the player would be in the squad for the weekend clash against McInnes' former team Aberdeen.
He said: “We are conducting our own investigation and we are in consultation with the SFA.
"I am not able to say anymore until the investigation is over, we will need to wait and see what happens.”
McAuley, who shared a dressing room with him at club and international level, insists the whole episode could have been avoided.
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He said: “The photo opportunity was a complete stitch up and it appears that’s how some people get their kicks these days.
“But Kyle appears to have responded out of embarrassment and being the butt of a joke.
“What he should have done was smile and say nothing.
“Deep down be fuming, but rise above it.
“Instead, Kyle appears to give the reaction those with a camera wanted and more."
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