CONOR MCMENAMIN HAS been withdrawn from the Northern Ireland squad for their Nations League fixtures against Kosovo and Greece after an historic video surfaced appearing to show the Glentoran winger allegedly singing a pro-IRA chant.
The decision came a day after Kyle Lafferty was sent home after his club Kilmarnock opened an investigation into a video appearing to show the veteran striker allegedly using sectarian language.
The Irish FA announced the decision to axe McMenamin less than an hour before kick-off in Northern Ireland’s match against Kosovo at Windsor Park.
A statement said: “In light of an historic social media video which has been circulated, Northern Ireland senior men’s team player Conor McMenamin has been withdrawn from the squad.”
In light of an historic social media video which has been circulated, Northern Ireland senior men’s team player Conor McMenamin has been withdrawn from the squad. pic.twitter.com/PlDvEROtL6
— Irish FA (@IrishFA) September 24, 2022
McMenamin, 27, has three caps for Northern Ireland, all won in June after an outstanding season with Glentoran was recognised with a first call-up this summer.
On Friday, Lafferty was sent home a day after Kilmarnock announced an investigation into a video which had emerged earlier in the week showing Northern Ireland’s second highest goalscorer reacting when a man posing for a photo with him says ‘Up the Celts’.
When Lafferty’s withdrawal was announced the Irish FA statement also made reference to a back injury which would have ruled him out of Saturday’s match regardless.
Manager Ian Baraclough said in a press conference the injury had been a factor in the decision – but there was no such ambiguity in the statement regarding McMenamin.
During Friday’s press conference, Baraclough was asked if the controversy regarding Lafferty’s video threatened to undermine the cross-community work that the IFA continues to do. Baraclough said he wanted football to remain part of the solution in Northern Ireland.
“Although I’ve not lived here growing up, and having lived with what has happened through The Troubles and how society is dealing with what has happened, hopefully going forward it is a stronger, more together nation,” he said.
“For me, we play a part in that by bringing a group of fans together who love supporting Northern Ireland and the football team. If you’re winning games of football that makes everybody happy.”
Just what I’ve come to expect really. It reeks of desperation when you’re trying to sign 12 year olds
There are serious problems with Liverpools transfer policy for a long time now. It’s like the defence no matter who they get in it can’t be sorted.
Regarding the communication before signing and incentives offered this is something done by all the big clubs, ya just have to look at Utd and when they first signed pogba, Chelsea and Gael kakuta, even think Everton got in bother before but why not pay school fees? I would’ve thought that schools fees were standard for all academy players at club like Liverpool
@El Johno: Premier league brought in a new rule last summer so Liverpool had to remove school fees from the deal as it was not signed b4 new rule. Parents complained about this but the ban is for bringing them to a first team game.
FSG out please I don’t care about them saving us from bankruptcy they care more about their American baseballers and clearly have enough money to pay fcking school fees! Liverpool are not a club that wants to make player profits they are a club that wants to make Champions league profits
@Ollie Watson: very difficult Ollie when they struggle to invest in the team
@Ollie Watson: paying school fees is against premier league rules since last summer. The article should have highlighted this.
Mickey Mouse really. Huge deal made out of nothing. Happens all the time.
That’s very amateurish
That’s a shame, the young lad could of slotted in in place of Lovren. Improve the defense