A junior soccer player has been banned from playing in the Clare District League for six months for criticising their show of support for former CEO of the FAI John Delaney earlier this year.

The legacy of Delaney was laid bare in Abbotstown yesterday when executive lead Paul Cooke revealed the extent of debts amassed during his tenure. Grassroots football in Ireland is expected to suffer with the inevitable austerity that will now follow.

Earlier this year when Delaney stepped down as FAI CEO to take up a newly-created position as executive vice-president, numerous junior leagues and clubs from around the country released letters showing their support for the former CEO.

The Clare District League wrote at the time: "The Clare District Soccer League acknowledges the contribution John Delaney has made to our League during his time as CEO.

"He brought the FAI AGM and Festival of Football to Clare in 2011 which played a big part in the promotion of the game in our country and helped a number of local business (sic) at the time.

"He has attended many functions over the years and has been very helpful to the League and our clubs in the development of facilities."

When Minister For Transport, Tourism and Sport Shane Ross referred the Sport-Ireland commissioned KOSI report to the Gardai recently, a player from the Clare District League shared a post on social media asking: "Where are the Delaney defenders now Clare District League..shame on you."

This week he was informed that "following an investigation" he has been "suspended from all football activity until June 1 2020".

He was also warned that "any repeat of this behaviour will automatically trigger an increase in this suspension until June 1 2021".

In response to queries from Independent.ie, a statement from the Clare District League read: "It has been brought to our attention that a story has been put out on social media that a player was suspended in our League for criticizing us.

"Firstly we have no issue with criticism and everyone is entitled to their opinion. However it's not criticism when someone takes to social media and calls our committee 'shower of scumbags' and calling for 'complete reform is needed from Clare District Soccer League committee'.

"The player was suspended for bringing the game into disrepute and is entitled to appeal this decision to the MFA as per rules if he is not happy with it.

"It should also be pointed out while the player in question is a registered player in our League he has not played all season with that club and the person that started the petition plays on his team and would be well aware of this."

Independent.ie understands that the two comments referenced by the Clare League were made back in March on the now deleted post in which the league acknowledged John Delaney's contribution to it in his time as CEO. The player had made the reply after previous responses he and others had made criticising the league's post had been deleted from the thread. He was not a registered player with the league at the time.

Online Editors