Shelbourne first-team coach Alan Quinn says he intends to appeal the severity of his four-month ban for breaching gambling regulations, adding that he was bitterly disappointed at the lack of support he received from the club once allegations were made against him.
On Saturday, Quinn was suspended from all football-related activity for four months for "breaching the FAI disciplinary regulations relating to betting", according to a statement from the governing body.
Quinn joined the Tolka Park outfit in 2022.
He is alleged to have breached Section 7.4, Regulation 3 (Betting/Gambling) of the FAI's rules, relating to 18 League of Ireland games in the period from 5 August 2022 to 5 May 2023.
The sanction was imposed by an independent disciplinary committee after a personal hearing.
In a statement released on Monday, Quinn acknowledged fully that he breached gambling regulations, however stressed that it should be understood in the context of what he described as a "gambling addiction".
He was keen to point out he had not placed a bet on his team to lose a match.
Quinn thanked manager Damien Duff for his support but expressed disappointment with Shelbourne.
"I feel it necessary to respond to the reports of my suspension from football released by the FAI on Saturday," Quinn said.
"In the first instance, I accept fully that I breached the gambling regulations. This was a serious error of judgment on my part which I regret hugely.
"However, I think context is required here. First, I have suffered from gambling addiction in the past and while I now have the problem under some control, like any addiction, there are times when my judgment is impaired.
"Second, all the bets made were in losing accumulators and no profit was made.
"Third, I did not and would never bet on my team to lose a match.
Fourth, although 18 matches were involved, there were only nine bets made.
"I understand that no bets should have been made and I accept fully that a suspension is warranted. My belief is that the focus in this and related instances should be less on excessive punishment and more towards education and rehabilitation.
"I would like to thank Shelbourne manager Damien Duff for his support but I am bitterly disappointed in the lack of assistance and guidance from the ownership of the club. As soon as the accusation was made and I was suspended by the club, I was left to fend for myself.
"I was forced to attend disciplinary hearings without any presence or support from the club. I naively assumed that my standing within the club would have brought a little more loyalty but this clearly wasn't the case.
"Football is my life and livelihood and it is all I have ever known. I am finding it very difficult to mentally process that I will have absolutely no involvement in football at all, even as a spectator, for such a long period of time.
"I have now engaged the services of the PFA Ireland who have kindly agreed to help me and, with the assistance of Stephen McGuinness, and their solicitor Stuart Gilhooly, I will be lodging an appeal against the severity of the sanction."
The FAI said in a statement on Saturday: "The FAI acknowledges the decision of the independent disciplinary committee and would like to remind all individuals involved in football of the importance of adhering to the FAI disciplinary regulations relating to betting.
"All individuals involved in football are urged to familiarise themselves with these regulations as set out in the FAI governance handbook and are encouraged to reach out to the FAI for additional information if they wish."
Shelbourne also issued a statement, which read: "Shelbourne FC notes the decision and announcement of the FAI in relation to Alan Quinn.
"Mr Quinn has been suspended from his duties since the original allegation arose and will continue to be suspended pending the outcome of an internal disciplinary process which has been commenced in accordance with Irish employment law.
"There will be no further comment from the club pending the outcome thereof."
