Defender banned for remainder of season

Gareth McKeown has been banned for a number of months.

The 32 year old, who moved from Glenavon to relegation threatened Rangers in January, was also handed a £1,000 fine. McKeown was found guilty by the IFA’s Disciplinary Committee of being in breach of the betting rules.

The offence allegedly took place when the defender was playing for Glenavon Reserves against Glentoran II’s.

An IFA statement confirmed McKeown admitted the breach at the outset of the disciplinary hearing.

It read: “Mr McKeown was legally represented at the hearing and admitted to the breac. He confirmed he was unaware that providing friends and family with inside information was a breach of the IFA and NIFL rules as well as a breach of his contract with Glenavon.

“He did not bet himself on the matches, but set up an account for his grandfather using his name and account information.

“The committee decided that Mr McKeown should be suspended for the remainder of the season togehter with a fine of £1,000.”

McKeown has the option of appealing against the penalties to the IFA’s appeals board.