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Mark Pirie

Kyle Lafferty hit with 'substantial fine' as striker voices 'regret' over video

Kilmarnock have hit Kyle Lafferty with a "substantial fine" after concluding its investigation into the video that circulated online appearing to show the striker allegedly using sectarian language.

The club issued a statement just after it was announced that Lafferty had been hit with a Scottish Football Association charge over the footage.

Kilmarnock said the Northern Ireland striker "regrets his actions and acknowledges that he has let down himself, his family, the club and the supporters."

Read more: SFA involved in Kilmarnock’s Kyle Lafferty investigation

It also said the player will engage with anti-sectarian charity Nil By Mouth "on a one-to-one basis".

The statement added: "Kilmarnock Football Club has subsequently taken internal action, including the serving of a substantial fine. The club has also engaged Scotland’s leading anti-sectarian charity, Nil By Mouth, which will work closely with Kyle on a one-to-one basis, in addition to delivering training to our first team squad and academy squad members, to provide education which the charity believes is key to tackling Sectarianism in society.

"Kyle has also committed to supporting the club’s community projects which will see him participating in Nil by Mouth’s educational initiatives, in addition to serving Kilmarnock’s ‘Football for All’ programmes on a weekly basis for the foreseeable future.

"A Notice of Complaint has now been served and received by the club from the Compliance Officer at the Scottish FA with regards to the player, Kyle Lafferty. This hearing will be heard on Thursday, 20 October 2022. The club will now focus on fully cooperating with the Scottish FA’s investigation.

"Kilmarnock Football Club would like to thank Nil By Mouth for their ongoing support in this matter."

Lafferty withdrew from Northern Ireland's squad last Friday after the incident occurred while Ian Baraclough's side were out for a 'team bonding session'.

Killie announced soon after the video emerged online that they would be investigating the matter surrounding the former Rangers striker.

Rugby Park boss Derek McInnes spoke about the video for the first time on Thursday and confirmed the SFA 's involvement in the case. Just hours later, Scottish football's governing body hit Lafferty with a charge after breaching two SFA rules.

The hearing will take place on October 20, reports the Daily Record.

The player is adjudged to have breached disciplinary rules 77 and 81. Rule 77 states "A recognised football body, club, official, Team Official, other member of Team Staff, player, match official or other person under the jurisdiction of the Scottish FA shall, at all times, act in the best interests of Association Football."

Rule 81 states: "No recognised football body, club, official, Team Official, other member of Team Staff, player, match official or other person under the jurisdiction of the Scottish FA shall (i) use offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or actions which include(s) a reference, whether express or implied to one or more of the following ethnic religion, colour, race, nationality, religion or belief."

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