Gareth McGlynn “hung out to dry”

THE FAI has been accused of using Inch man Gareth McGlynn as a ‘scapegoat’ after banning the former Derry City player for two months for illegal betting. Both McGlynn and former Derry City physio Colm O’ Neill, who is a Bridgend resident, have each received a two month ban after the FAI’s independent disciplinary committee found them guilty of betting on League of Ireland games – an act banned by the association. McGlynn is set to appeal the FAI’s decision, claiming the punishment does not fit the crime, citing the punishment handed out to former St. Patrick’s Athletic player Gary Dempsey in 2009. Dempsey, found guilty of betting on his own team, received only a five match ban while McGlynn, who pleaded guilty to betting on six games between 2008 and 2009, none of which involved Derry City, will now miss as many as eight over the next two months. A statement from the Disciplinary Committee read: “Mr McGlynn was found to be in breach of FAI rule 100. This breach was admitted by the player. The Disciplinary Committee suspended the player from all football fixtures for two months. None of these bets involved his own club. There were five such bets ranging from £20 sterling to £100. The player did not win any of these bets.” Only last month, former Derry City team mate Sammy Morrow was banned for three months after he was found guilty of flaunting the association’s betting rules, with the former City striker discovered to have placed a bet on the Candystripes. But McGlynn has received his punishment despite not betting on his own team and the player is planning to launch an immediate appeal. He said: “I am absolutely amazed at the decision. The disciplinary committee have fully accepted that I was not aware that I was breaching the rule and yet they have punished me with a huge ban which could mean missing as many as ten matches. “I feel I’m being made a scapegoat for suspicious betting patterns in other matches which they completely agree have nothing to do with me and in which I had no betting interests. “When compared to the ban which Gary Dempsey received for betting on a match involving his own team, it shows a complete lack of consistency. I will, of course, be appealing the decision.” McGlynn has received the backing of the PFAI who have slammed the FAI and admitted the association is now losing the confidence of its players. Stephen McGuinness said: “It’s incredible. To suggest that betting on a match against your own team is the same as betting on another match in the league involving two unconnected teams beggars belief and shows a complete lack of insight into the game. “Gareth is distraught as he genuinely thought he was doing nothing wrong. The disciplinary committee have destroyed the player’s season without any cause. Their complete disregard for precedent is very worrying for the entire disciplinary process and reduces the confidence the PFAI has in the system.” McGlynn’s current club manager, Pat Fenlon has insisted that Bohemians are fully behind him and will assist the player in his appeal. He said: “I think in fairness to the lad he held his hand up and admitted what he’s done but they don’t seem to have taken any account of that. He is devastated because he’s a footballer and wants to play games and we want him to be available because he’s a good player so, yeah, I think the club will be looking to see what can be done about the situation.”