Limavady United players banned after betting scandal

Trevor Parkhill, Richard Close and Laurence McCormick have all been banned for their respective roles in a betting scandal after an IFA disciplinary hearing held on Wednesday, April 17, 2013.

David Brewster, Vice-Chairman of Limavady United, said that he is glad that the club itself has been cleared of any wrong-doing. He pointed to the fact that the players had previously been suspended by the club as an indication of how seriously Limavady United take matters of sporting integrity.

Trevor Parkhill has been banned until October for bringing the game into disrepute. Laurence McCormick has been banned until February for bringing the game into disrepute and seeking to influence the outcome of a game. Richard Close has been banned until February, also for bringing the game into disrepute and seeking to influence the outcome of a game

Vice-Chairman of Limavady United David Brewster said: “The Club is pleased that there was no finding at all against it. We are disappointed, of course, that the players have been found guilty of this offence. We take the IFA regulations very seriously and we hope that players of our club, and players generally, realise how serious it is.

“It is an indication of how seriously we took it that we suspended these players, key players, voluntarily and deprived ourselves in the middle of a relegation battle.” Mr Brewster added: “We believe that sporting integrity is more important.”

The betting controversy erupted after a series of bets were placed on the Roesider’s game with Dergview, which Limavady United lost by two goals to nil.

Bookmaker Paddy Power submitted their records to the IFA as part of the probe into the betting irregularities.