An FAI Disciplinary Committee's finding that the owner and Chairman of Cork City FC has brought the game into disrepute "has threatened and disrupted the financial viability and future stability of the League of Ireland club," the High Court heard today.

TOM COUGHLAN is to appeal the 12-month ban and €5,000 fine imposed on him yesterday at a disciplinary hearing in Abbotstown. The announcement of the severe sanction, after Coughlan was found guilty of bringing the game into disrepute, was followed by a call from the FAI for the Cork City chairman to consider his position.

Cork City chairman Tom Coughlan was today banned from football-related activities for a year amid farcical scenes at FAI headquarters in Abbotstown, Dublin today.