Kyle Lafferty has been left out of the Northern Ireland squad as the team prepares to take on Kosovo and Greece in the UEFA Nations League campaign. Lafferty was left out of the games after a video of his alleged use of sectarian language surfaced online.
Kyle Lafferty is reportedly left out of the Northern Ireland UEFA Nations League squad as his club Kilmarnock proceeds with an investigation on the alleged use of sectarian language.
Lafferty was spotted in a video that has gone viral on social media, allegedly making sectarian comments after posing with a fan.
The Scottish club has confirmed that an investigation into the incident is ongoing as the club attempts to establish the truth and remove facts from fiction before any decision.
Kyle Lafferty calling Celtic 'a pack of Fenian bastards' pic.twitter.com/yYIqXxXgQt
— aye, when (@ayeyeahyup) September 21, 2022
Meanwhile, the Irish Football Association, IFA, have issued a statement to the effect of the incident. IFA reiterated their awareness of the controversial social media video in circulation and also confirmed that Kyle Lafferty’s club, Kilmarnock is on top of the situation.
“The Irish Football Association is aware of a social media video which has been circulated widely. The association also notes an investigation has been launched into the video by the striker’s club Kilmarnock.”
Before IFA’s statement, Kilmarnock had issued a club statement also noting that they are aware of the video about Kyle Lafferty and are proceeding with an investigation.
The Rugby Park club said: “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.
“Kilmarnock also reiterated their unyielding stand and opposition to all forms of discriminatory behavior.
“The club finds all forms of discriminatory behaviour completely unacceptable. The matter will be investigated by the club.”
Northern Ireland manager, Baraclough had also weighed into the incident. Speaking on Kyle Lafferty’s chance of making a return to the team after the development, Baraclough maintained that there is still a way back into international football and the Northern Ireland team despite not making the squad now.
Baraclough added that it was not the incident only that informed the decision to withdraw Kyle Lafferty from the squad.
According to him, a back injury was also one of the factors that warranted the move to drop him from the squad, adding that he will be there for the 35-year-old striker.
“It’s not necessarily the end,” Baraclough said. “It will be reported in some quarters as that and it will be sensationalised but I’m there for Kyle.”
Who is Kyle Lafferty?
Kyle Joseph George Lafferty is a top Irish footballer who plays as a striker for the Scottish club Kilmarnock. Known shortly as Kyle Lafferty, the beleaguered Irish star was born in Enniskillen on 16 September 1987 (35 years).
Lafferty is 6 ft. 4 inches tall and wears jersey number 28 as a Kilmarnock forward. He started his football career with the Burnley youth team in 2004.
Kyle Lafferty has played for many clubs across Europe. He has played in England, Italy, and Scotland.
He has won the Scottish Premier League, Scottish Cup, Scottish League Cup, Serie B, and Scottish Championship
Lafferty has been capped 85 times for Northern Ireland’s senior men’s team and has scored 20 goals since making his debut in 2006.
Personal Life
Previously married to Nicola Mimnaugh, before remarrying Miss Scotland contestant Vanessa Chunk, Kyle Lafferty has three kids, one from his divorced wife Mimnaugh and two from his current wife, Vanessa Chung.
He has battled several scandals as a professional footballer. Kyle Lafferty had faced vandalism charges while at Rangers in Scotland.
He was charged by FA in 2016 for misconduct related to football betting.
The investigation by Kilmarnock over alleged sectarian comments in a nightclub is his latest scandal, with investigations ongoing.
