Portadown will learn appeal verdicts within a week following latest hearing

Pat McGibbon's Portadown side are currently on -6 points in the Irish Premiership after nine games

Portadown will learn verdicts from their appeals against a 12-point deduction and suspension from all football related activity within the next seven days.

The Irish FA's appeals board heard further evidence from Portadown on Monday as well as "clarification" from the original disciplinary committee.

A statement said a "full reasoned decision" would be made within a week.

The saga led to the postponement of Portadown's first Premiership game.

The club's suspension was then 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, although subsequently it was lifted until the appeal hearing.

Portadown's opening league game against Coleraine was postponed as a result of the controversy.

The club's 12-point deduction was imposed after they were found to have paid Peter McMahon while he was registered as an amateur.

In late August, Portadown were also ordered to pay £7,000 in unpaid wages to McMahon by an employment tribunal although the club said that they would be appealing against this verdict.