Current Kilmarnock and former Rangers star Kyle Lafferty has been axed by Northern Ireland for their upcoming UEFA fixtures after allegedly using 'sectarian' language in a video.
Lafferty, who has appeared 85 times for his country and scored 20 goals in the process, had been called up by manager Ian Baraclough for the upcoming UEFA Nations League clashes against Kosovo and Greece, with the Green and White Army currently winless after four games in a group that also contains Cyprus. With just two points from their opening four games, fans would have been hoping to depend on their major stars to ensure they didn't finish bottom of the group.
But a recent video has seen Lafferty sent home after he used alleged sectarian language, according to Irish reports; and that has seen Killie called into action, with the Scottish Premiership club releasing a statement citing that they would be opening an investigation on the matter.
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In the clip, Lafferty had posed for a photo with a fan, who was heard saying 'Up the Celts.' In retaliation, the former Rangers target man stepped away before using alleged sectarian language towards the fan in question.
As a result, he will now not take place in the ties against the eastern European outfits over the coming week after being dropped by the Irish FA - with a senior source telling the Belfast Telegraph that they had slammed the 'appalling' language used by Lafferty.
Kilmarnock's statement also condemned the behaviour of their player. It read: "Kilmarnock Football Club are aware of a video circulating online which appears to show a member of our playing staff using language of a sectarian nature. The club finds all forms of discriminatory behaviour completely unacceptable. The matter will be investigated by the club."
Baraclough's side get their campaign back underway on Saturday evening against Kosovo at Windsor Park.
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