NORTHERN IRELAND boss Ian Baraclough has broken his silence on the decision to withdraw Kyle Lafferty from his squad on the eve of the clash with Kosovo.
A video clip appeared online yesterday which appeared to show the Kilmarnock star using the sectarian slur ‘fenian b******” after he is tricked by a member of the public who says ‘Up the Celtic‘ while he is caught on camera.
Kilmarnock said yesterday that they had launched an investigation into the circumstances around the clip.
The Irish FA announced this morning that the player been axed from the squad for the Nations League clashes against Kosovo and Greece, insisting that they were aware of the clip.
A statement read: “Northern Ireland senior men’s team player Kyle Lafferty has been withdrawn from the squad ahead of the upcoming UEFA Nations League games against Kosovo and Greece.
“The Irish Football Association is aware of a social media video which has been circulated widely.
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“The association also notes an investigation has been launched into the video by the striker’s club, Kilmarnock FC.
“A minor back problem has prevented Lafferty from participating in training since Tuesday.”
Speaking on Sky Sports, Northern Ireland boss Baraclough elaborated on the reasons behind his exit.
He insisted that the revelation of the back injury which had stopped him training since Tuesday “isn’t a smokescreen”.
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Baraclough said: “The statement has gone out there and I think it is quite clear.
“He has left the squad now for reasons that were stated.
“Listen I’ve seen the video, I spoke to him and we discussed it at length.
“He hadn’t trained since Tuesday so that isn’t a smokescreen but it adds to it.
“The decision was taken to withdraw him from the squad and Kilmarnock his club will be making a thorough investigation into it.”
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