Portadown appeal against 12-point deduction to be heard on Thursday

The IFA ruled that Peter McMahon was paid while on amateur forms

Portadown's appeal against a 12-point deduction for the upcoming Premiership season will be heard on Thursday night.

The punishment was handed out for a registration breach involving player Peter McMahon.

An Irish FA disciplinary hearing in June ruled that the winger had been paid while registered on amateur forms.

In April, the club were fined £5,000 for a similar breach involving ex-striker Gary Twigg and had a transfer embargo imposed until next June.

There had been speculation that another rule breach could see the IFA deducting Portadown points from the recently concluded campaign which would have resulted in the club being relegated to next season's Championship.

The Shamrock Park outfit narrowly avoided relegation as they finished only four points above the foot of the table.

However, the IFA opted to impose the penalty from the start of the forthcoming season.