Shelbourne coach Alan Quinn to appeal severity of four-month ban for gambling

Shelbourne first-team coach Alan Quinn says he intends to appeal the severity of his four-month ban for breaching gambling regulations, adding that he was bitterly disappointed at the lack of support he received from the club once allegations were made against him.

On Saturday, Quinn was suspended from all football-related activity for four months for "breaching the FAI disciplinary regulations relating to betting", according to a statement from the governing body.

Quinn joined the Tolka Park outfit in 2022.

He is alleged to have breached Section 7.4, Regulation 3 (Betting/Gambling) of the FAI's rules, relating to 18 League of Ireland games in the period from 5 August 2022 to 5 May 2023.

The sanction was imposed by an independent disciplinary committee after a personal hearing.

In a statement released on Monday, Quinn acknowledged fully that he breached gambling regulations, however stressed that it should be understood in the context of what he described as a "gambling addiction".

He was keen to point out he had not placed a bet on his team to lose a match.

Quinn thanked manager Damien Duff for his support but expressed disappointment with Shelbourne.

"I feel it necessary to respond to the reports of my suspension from football released by the FAI on Saturday," Quinn said.

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

"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