THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION of Ireland (FAI) have tonight confirmed that an investigation has been launched, amid allegations of match fixing during a 8 September friendly between Bray Wanderers and Waterford FC at the Carlisle Grounds.
Part of a statement issued by the association this evening read: โUpon receipt of a complaint the FAI notified An Garda Siochanna and the Association has now launched an investigation into alleged breaches of FAI Rules.
โThe FAI has a zero tolerance policy to match-fixing.โ
Further details surrounding the case have yet to be made clear.
This latest controversy comes after a difficult season for the Seagulls, who lost the match in question 5-0.
Brayโs financial problems at one point left doubt as to whether they would be able to pay players, though it was confirmed back in July that they were โfinancially stable for the foreseeable futureโ.
It is not the first time this season that a League of Ireland club has been embroiled in a match-fixing controversy.
Last week, it was confirmed that two Athlone Town players had been handed 12-month bans for โmanipulating matches,โ though that punishment has since been branded โoutrageousโ by the First Division club.
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Itโs fair enough. Class act as he is, heโs getting on and going against arguably the most physical nation in rugby. Donโt want to be carrying around injured men because he would be targeted almost every game. Only way I could have forseen him going is playing out/managing the last 20 of a game.
@Ultan Corcoran: Yeah youโre right, and even someone who would be a test bench player has to be up to starting. With Johnny I can see whenever he came on (start or after 55 mins) some monstrous SA back rower or lock trying to โtest his durabilityโ. Plus I expect the training games to be pretty full on as well as everyone tries to stake their claims. Lions tours are always tough so this might actually extend his career too. Along with giving him an extra chip on the shoulder to add to his motivation next season.
@Paddy Kennedy: Stating facts on everything man, nearly every Saffa forward would be out to paste him from the get go. Think every tour is different and being SA this time around, thats why the bruisers are being called up rather than the less physical lads. A shame but definitely could elongate his careers in both Blue and Green.
@Ultan Corcoran: every forward wants to paste the 10. Sexton is one of the strongest defenders playing 10 arround. Heโs not fit so doesnโt go and thatโs fair enough but thereโs far flakier 10โฒs about
@Chris Mc: nothing to do with flakieness itโs about durability why risk having your starting 10 injured 15 min into game 1 and having to re make a game plan plan the rest of the series and bring in a extra player.
Think you might see him called up yet. If there are injuries at fly-half, youโd certainly expect Sexton to get the nod over Ford say. Other than that, heโs not played much since the 6N so itโs arguably the right call by the selectors.
@Carmine Lorenzo: If theyโre worried about his durability today, thatโs not gonna change in 4 weeksโ time. Ford goes before Sexton based on the comments of Jenkins. No doubt.
@Ricky Wright: Iโd be surprised if Gatland picked Ford even as a replacement due to his lack of physicality.
@Ricky Wright: I get what youโre saying, but if the test week is approaching with a few of the club games out of the way, I could see them opting for Sexton ahead of Ford for example if there were injuries. If this squad was picked at the end of the 6N, thereโs no doubt in my mind that theyโd have selected him.
@Carmine Lorenzo: Agreed. I think he travels if the squad was picked the night after we beat England. But if the squad was picked in January, maybe he wouldnโt have. For Sexton, he needs game time to prove heโs fit, not on form. Heโs not gonna get that. I thought theyโd bring him and use him sparingly until the first test. Easier to do with a shorter schedule.
Tom Brady, Iโll just leave that there.
@Aidan Kearney: i dont follow NFL, but how many times has Brady gone off injured this season?
@Gar: he hurt his knee in 2008 missed a season I think. Missed 4 games in 2016 because he let some air out of a football
@Aidan Kearney: god forbib someone should have an ambition.
@Aidan Kearney: if sexton was made of the same stuff as Brady he might of been on plane , Brady has rarely been injured
@Aidan Kearney: good lad Iโm sure we would be embarrassed with your sporting or rugby cv
@Aidan Kearney: Larry Bird!
Whoโs got next in naming old US athletes in sports that have nothing to do with rugby?
@Aidan Kearney: haโฆif brady had got the same treatment as sexton, heโd have retired at 24โฆ
โroughing the passerโ ill just jeave that there
Wow 4 nations and they get to pick 3 no.10โฒsโฆ.. they mustnโt listen to Newstalk radio or to iiam toland. Thatโs some reflection of how those outside Ireland see sexton.
@Kevin Oโbrien: are opinions outside of Ireland more valid than those in Ireland
Off the ball are at it right now. Itโs so funny to listen to them moan. They are the Johnny Sexton fan club. Itโs so funny to hear them make up excuses.
Thereโs a lot of training and warmups before the tests .Not wishing any injuries on any player but there will be a few for sure.
Plays against LaRog and goes. Shame for him, would have been a nice cherry on top of the twilight of his career, always more that go out so hope for a few yet. Some mad selections in there, Saffies will steam roll it.