Kyle Lafferty has officially been axed from the Northern Ireland squad as Kilmarnock investigate a video showing him using alleged sectarian language.
Lafferty had been selected by Ian Baraclough and was named in the group to face Kosovo and Greece, but came under serious scrutiny when a widely-shared clip emerged online. Lafferty was seen preparing to pose for a photo with a man, but as the clip is being filmed the man is heard saying “up the Celts” and after stepping away Lafferty is then alleged to have used derogatory sectarian language.
Kilmarnock soon released a statement announcing an investigation into Lafferty's behaviour. And now he has been dropped by the squad that face Kosovo in Belfast tomorrow before travelling to Greece on Tuesday night. A Irish FA source, as per the Belfast Telegraph, slammed the "appalling" language Lafferty appeared to use.
The former Rangers and Hearts striker has 20 goals in 85 games for his country and had started their last three games. A Kilmarnock statement on the incident 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."
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