Former Finn Harps player, Ryan Rainey, has issued a heartfelt statement in relation to his gambling addiction.
The Letterkenny man was earlier confirmed to have been suspended from all football-related activity for six months for illegal betting.
However, he has just released a statement stressing he did not gamble on any matches he was involved in. Finn Harps has confirmed it has offered the services of a counsellor as well as proactively supporting the player through this process, through communication with the Professional Footballers Association (PFA) Ireland.
Read Rainey’s full statement below:
“My name is Ryan Rainey and I have a gambling addiction. I am also a young man who grew up wanting nothing more than to play football. I realised my dream but then reality struck. The constant stream of gambling adverts, the spare time and desire for stimulation while watching matches on television meant I developed an addiction which overtook common sense and led me down a path I now sincerely regret.
While I fully acknowledge that I broke the FAI’s rules on betting on any matches, I stress that I did not bet on a match in which I was involved. I fully respect the integrity of the game and would not involve myself in any action that would threaten that. However, I also realise that the betting rules are in place for a reason and that I breached them. That is on me and I accept full responsibility.
I also accept the ban I have received and will not be appealing it. My intention is to seek treatment for my addiction and to return to football after my suspension as a better person and player.
I hope that my experience assists in reform of gambling advertising which targets young men like me and is doing huge damage.
Finally, I would like to thank Finn Harps and the PFA Ireland for the support they have shown to me over this difficult period.”
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