Portadown appeals hearing adjourned by Irish FA

Pat McGibbon succeeded long-serving boss Ronnie McFall as manager of Portadown

Portadown's appeals against a 12-point deduction and suspension from all football related activity were adjourned at an Irish FA hearing.

The IFA say a decision will be made after "additional documentary evidence" is submitted within seven days.

The deduction was imposed for the club being found to have paid Peter McMahon while he was registered as an amateur.

The suspension relates to the club's failure to pay disciplinary fees for undisclosed payments to players.

An IFA appeals board heard oral evidence on Monday night from Portadown and the IFA Disciplinary Committee, which imposed the punishment.

Evidence required

Both parties were instructed to produce the additional evidence and "once this has been submitted the members of the board will reconvene to conclude their deliberations".

A previous appeal by Portadown, regarding their football suspension, was postponed as club officials were not available.

The suspension was temporarily lifted after the IFA said the club had grounds for an appeal.

A £5,000 fine was imposed, along with a transfer embargo preventing the club from signing players on professional terms until June 2017, after irregularities were found in payments made to former striker Gary Twigg.

It is understood that an initial cheque sent by Portadown to the IFA 'bounced'.

The fine was later paid but the IFA's Disciplinary Committee decided to keep the the ban in place.