FAI suspend former Athlone Town manager for six months for offensive behaviour

The FAI have suspended recently resigned Athlone Town manager Aaron Callaghan for six months for what they deem "offensive and intimidating behaviour towards match officials" while serving a ban.

Callaghan quit the club for personal reasons on Wednesday following Town's 10th defeat in their last 11 games. Callaghan was serving a two-match ban and ignored the FAI Rules restricting him from entering the dressing room area, where his behaviour was deemed both offensive and intimidating towards match officials. An FAI statement read:

"The Football Association of Ireland confirms an Independent Disciplinary Committee has 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. "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 will not be commenting any further on this matter at this time."

Callaghan cited Athlone Town's lack of professionalism as reason for his resignation. Speaking to Off The Ball, Callaghan said: "Changing a football club's culture is one of the most difficult challenges a manager incurs that's because the club structure comprises of an interlocking set of goals, roles, processes, values, communications, practices, attitudes and behaviours. "To raise the bar in any industry you need to set professional standards and evolve with the competition. "Somehow this message never landed. The players and staff have my utmost respect and I wish them every success."