Suspended Alan Quinn hits out at Shelbourne for lack of support

SUSPENDED: Shelbourne coach Alan Quinn during the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division match between Shelbourne and St Patrick's Athletic at Tolka Park in Dublin. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Shelbourne first team coach Alan Quinn has hit out at the club for a lack of 'assistance and guidance' following his suspension from all football-related activity for four months for breaching FAI betting rules.

The former Republic of Ireland international was found to have breached Section 7.4, Regulation 3 (Betting/Gambling) of the FAI Disciplinary Regulations in connection to 18 League of Ireland games between 5 August 2022 and 5 May 2023.

In a statement released through the PFAI, Quinn said he accepted the breach which he regrets 'hugely'. 

He also thanked Shels boss Damien Duff for his support but hit out at the club ownership.

"I accept fully that I breached the gambling regulations. This was a serious error of judgment on my part which I regret hugely," said Quinn.

"However, I think context is required here. First, I have suffered from gambling addiction in the past and while I now have the problem under some control, like any addiction, there are times when my judgment is impaired. Second, all the bets made were in losing accumulators and no profit was made. Third, I did not and would never bet on my team to lose a match. Fourth, although 18 matches were involved, there were only nine bets made.

"I understand that no bets should have been made and I accept fully that a suspension is warranted. My belief is that the focus in this and related instances should be less on excessive punishment and more towards education and rehabilitation.

"I would like to thank Shelbourne manager Damien Duff for his support but I am bitterly disappointed in the lack of assistance and guidance from the ownership of the club. 

"As soon as the accusation was made and I was suspended by the club, I was left to fend for myself. I was forced to attend disciplinary hearings without any presence or support from the club. I naively assumed that my standing within the club would have brought a little more loyalty but this clearly wasn’t the case."

The sanction was imposed by an Independent Disciplinary Committee following a personal hearing but Quinn, who also played for Sheffield Wednesday, Sunderland, Sheffield United and Ipswich Town, said he will exercise his right to appeal.

The FAI said in a statement on Saturday; "Alan Quinn, Men’s First Team Coach at Shelbourne FC, has been suspended from all football-related activity with immediate effect for a period of four months for breaching the FAI Disciplinary Regulations relating to betting.

"Quinn was found to have breached Section 7.4, Regulation 3 (Betting/Gambling) of the FAI Disciplinary Regulations. These breaches are connected to 18 League of Ireland games between 5 August 2022 and 5 May 2023 and the sanction was imposed by an Independent Disciplinary Committee following a personal hearing.

"The FAI acknowledges the decision of the Independent Disciplinary Committee and would like to remind all individuals involved in football of the importance of adhering to the FAI Disciplinary Regulations relating to betting.

"All individuals involved in football are urged to familiarise themselves with these regulations as set out in the FAI Governance Handbook and are encouraged to reach out to the FAI for additional information if they wish."