Glentoran midfielder John Herron has been banned and hit with a £250 fine after being found guilty of bringing the game into disrepute.
Herron had been charged with placing bets on three matches within Northern Ireland in February 2019.
The IFA's Disciplinary Committee said it took into account a number of mitigating factors when determining an appropriate sanction and decided to issue a two-match suspension commencing on Monday, October 7, 2019.
One of the matches is suspended for a period of 18 months.
Herron has also been fined £250 which he has been directed to donate to Addiction NI.
Proof of the donation is to be provided to the Association.
Glentoran did not challenge the charge.
Background
Herron attended a meeting of the IFA's Disciplinary Committee on Wednesday night (October 2) to answer a charge that he breached Article 17 of the Articles of Association (and regulations 46a and 46b).
Article 17 states that where any person or body has breached or caused or contributed to the breach of any of the Articles (of Association) or brings the game of Association Football into disrepute, that person or body shall be liable to expulsion, suspension, fine and/or such other penalty or sanction as the Board/Disciplinary Committee may think fit.
The Irish FA’s Football Regulations state that the integrity of matches and competitions is violated by anyone who: (46a) acts in a manner that is likely to exert an unlawful or undue influence on the course and/or result of a match or competition with a view to gaining an advantage for himself or a third party; (46b) participates directly or indirectly in betting or similar activities relating to competition matches or who has a direct or indirect financial interest in such activities.
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