IRISH LEAGUE: Arbitration fails to reach a decision in ongoing case

The Milltown club had pursued arbitration over the Irish FA’s decision not to punish Carrick Rangers over former manager Gary Haveron’s failure to properly serve a touchline ban.

The hearing was held on Thursday and on Friday night the findings of that meeting emerged.

Nicholas Randall QC found Warrenpoint Town had the right to challenge the IFA’s decision to exercise discretion over Carrick’s rule breach.

He has now asked for further written submissions from Warrenpoint, the Irish FA and Carrick.

It means next week’s scheduled Danske Bank Premiership promotion/relegation play-off game(s) have been postponed.

The Northern Ireland Football League said in a statement: “The NIFL are increasingly frustrated at the ongoing, and further delay, and appeal that the matter is concluded at the earliest possible opportunity to prevent any further impact on our member clubs, managers, players and fans as well as preparation for Season 2016/17.”

Haveron served a three-match ban handed out by the IFA, but was in the dugout for Carrick’s game against Dungannon Swifts on April 23 when he should have been suspended. An IFA Disciplinary Committee said it had exercised discretion in not punishing Carrick.