Northern Ireland's Kyle Lafferty has been withdrawn from the squad for their Nations League fixtures with Kosovo and Greece.
A video emerged that appeared to show the Enniskillen man using sectarian language.
The clip shows the striker posing for a photograph with a supporter. He is then seen responding to a comment of "Up the Celts" from the same man.
Explicit language warning*
Kyle Lafferty good man pic.twitter.com/wnBT23C95m
— ggggggg (@ggggggg19769441) September 21, 2022
The Irish FA's statement said: "Northern Ireland senior men's team player Kyle Lafferty has been withdrawn from the squad ahead of the upcoming UEFA Nations League games against Kosovo and Greece.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.
"The association also notes an investigation has been launched into the video by the striker’s club, Kilmarnock FC."
Irish FA statement: Kyle Laffertyhttps://t.co/d7G4t3DfmJ pic.twitter.com/YZZmy2yqfX
— Irish FA (@IrishFA) September 23, 2022
Lafferty is his country’s second-highest scorer, having hit the net on twenty occasions. He joined Scottish side Kilmarnock in January and has featured on fifteen occasions.
A statement from his club read: “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.
“The club finds all forms of discriminatory behaviour completely unacceptable. The matter will be investigated by the club.”
