NORTHERN IRELAND'S KYLE LAFFERTY has said his comments that got him a 10-match ban last month was 'completely out of order. The 35-year-old also apologised for his comments in a statement on Kilmarnock's website.
Prior to the Nations League, Lafferty was asked by a fan for a photo. The fan at the time said, 'up the Celts'. Lafferty responded to the fan by saying 'you pack of Fenian b****s.
The former Rangers man was hit with a 10-game ban and was also dropped from the Northern Ireland Nations League team for the games against Greece and Kosovo.
Lafferty released a statement on the Kilmarnock website apologising for his actions.
"I want to deeply apologise to the club, supporters and my family for the distress caused over the past month. I totally acknowledge that my reaction to the incident was completely out of order," said the Northern Irishman
"There is no excuse, it’s something that I immediately regretted and have been embarrassed about ever since. I absolutely accept that I should not have responded to provocation in that manner.
🗣️ "I totally acknowledge that my reaction to the incident was completely out of order. There is no excuse, it's something that I immediately regretted and have been embarrassed about ever since."
Kilmarnock's Kyle Lafferty apologises for using sectarian language ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/K6E1BcXOuH— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) October 20, 2022
The Northern Ireland forward has also committed to work with Scotland's leading anti-sectarian charity, Nil By Mouth, which provides education and training developed to tackle sectarianism in society.
"I placed myself in a position that has been very difficult to deal with, so I’m now determined to work with Nil By Mouth to ensure that others, particularly the youngsters at the club, learn from," added Lafferty
The statement continued by saying: "Kilmarnock Football Club and Scotland’s leading anti-sectarian charity, Nil By Mouth, will continue to work with Kyle, as well as members of the club’s first team and academy squads, to provide education and deliver training that has been developed to tackle the issue of sectarianism in society."
"In addition to working closely with Nil by Mouth, Kyle has committed to assisting Kilmarnock’s ‘Football for All’ programmes on a weekly basis."
The club would once again like to thank Nil by Mouth for their continued support."
The Northern Ireland forward's next club game will be Kilmarnock's League Cup semi-final against Celtic in January.
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