A LEAGUE of Ireland player has called for a reform of gambling advertising after being hit with a six month ban from all football related activities.
Former Finn Harps midfielder Ryan Rainer was found to have breached the FAI Disciplinary Regulations relating to betting.
The transgressions are related to a number of League of Ireland and Men’s FAI Cup games between 2021 and 2024.
Rainey was also accused of placing “a significant number of bets” worldwide in 2024.
An FAI statement read: “The sanction was imposed by an Independent Disciplinary Committee following a disciplinary hearing and the FAI acknowledges their decision.
“All individuals involved in football are urged to familiarise themselves with the FAI Disciplinary Regulations relating to betting as set out in the FAI Governance Handbook and are encouraged to reach out to the FAI for additional information if they wish.”
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The 28-year-old joined the Harps in 2021 and made 23 appearances for the First Division club in all competitions last season.
In response, Finn Harps admitted it was “shocked” by the findings and had offered counselling to their player.
The club said: “Finn Harps can confirm that following the conclusion of a disciplinary process, a former player has been suspended from all football-related activity for six months.
“The suspension arises from breaches of the FAI Disciplinary Regulations relating to betting.
“The sanction was imposed by an Independent Disciplinary Committee following a disciplinary hearing.
“News of the disciplinary matter came as a shock to the club.
“Whilst no crime was committed there are very strict rules in place which the club and FAI inform all players of each year that they must comply with.
“Finn Harps has strong views on gambling and the harm it causes to members of our society.
“The club has offered the services of a counsellor as well as proactively supporting the player through this process through communication with the Professional Footballers Association.”
In a statement issued through the Professional Footballers Association of Ireland, Rainey revealed he has no intention of appealing the suspension.
However, he called for a reform of gambling advertising in football.
He said: “My name is Ryan Rainey and I have a gambling addiction.
“I am also a young man who grew up wanting nothing more than to play football. I realised my dream but them reality struck.
“The constant stream of gambling adverts, the spare time and desire for stimulation while watching matches on television meant I developed an addiction which overtook common sense and led me down a path I now sincerely regret.
“While I fully acknowledge that I broke the FAI’s rules on betting on any matches, I stress that I did not bet on a match in which I was involved.
“I fully respect the integrity of the game and would not involve myself in any action that would threaten that.
“However I also realise that the betting rules are in place for a reason and that I breached them. That is on me and I accept full responsibility.
“I also accept the ban I have received and will not be appealing it.
“My intention is to seek treatment for my addiction and to return to football after my suspension as a better person and player.
“I hope that my experience assists in reform of gambling advertising which targets young men like me and is doing huge damage.”