BREAKING: Former Athlone manager banned from football for six months

The FAI has suspended former Athlone Town manager Aaron Callaghan from all football-related activities for six months.

The Football Association of Ireland today confirmed that an Independent Disciplinary Committee had sanctioned Mr. Aaron Callaghan and that he has been suspended from all football-related activity within the Republic of Ireland for a six-month period, effective immediately.

The FAI statement said: "Whilst under the sanction of a two-match suspension, Mr. Callaghan ignored FAI Rules restricting him from entering the dressing room area, where his behaviour was deemed both offensive and intimidating towards match officials."

The Disciplinary Committee, having considered the match officials' reports and written submissions furnished, found that Mr. Callaghan, as Athlone Town AFC manager, was in breach of the following FAI Rules:

Part D, Section 2, Rule 13: Offensive Behaviour (April 20, 2018)
Part D, Section 2, Rule 15: Intimidation/Threats (April 20, 2018)
Part D, Section 12, Rule 90: Failure to Respect Decisions (April 20, 2018)
Part D, Section 2, Rule 13: Offensive Behaviour (April 28, 2018)
Part D, Section 12, Rule 90: Failure to Respect Decisions (April 28, 2018)

The association said it would not be commenting any further on this matter at this time.

Last night (Wednesday) Athlone Town issued a statement stating that Callaghan had stepped down as the club's first team manager with immediate effect.

The club statement said it had "reluctantly accepted Aaron's decision to resign".