Reduced suspension for Westport United manager

The Connacht FA has reduced the suspension imposed on Westport United manager, Kevin McNamara to 12 matches, on foot of an appeal by the club. The disciplinary committee met on Thursday last, and announced its decision last night (Monday).

McNamara had originally been suspended for 12 months by the Mayo League’s Disciplinary Committee, over incidents alleged to have occurred at the end of their away game with Crossmolina, at Kilmurray, Crossmolina, on August 10. McNamara received a yellow card in the 88th minute. He received a second yellow after the match. Westport United has always denied the claims made in the referee’s report on the match, that McNamara had made contact with the referee, on more than one occasion, immediately after the match. The referee was not injured in the alleged incident.  

As of Monday night, it remains uncertain what Westport’s next move will be. The club was unavailable for comment. Will they accept the new, lower suspension, or will they appeal to the FAI on the basis of their initial claim that the alleged incident or incidents, never happened? And if they do appeal, is there a risk that the suspension could be increased? 

Club member Padraic Burns, who had been suspended for 12 matches by the Mayo League, has had his suspension halved on appeal.