Soccer: St Patrick's Athletic midfielder Gary Dempsey was handed a five match ban by the FAI this evening after he admitted placing a €20 bet on Galway United to beat his side in a match earlier this year.

Dempsey was suspended under Rule 100 of the FAI's code of conduct after it emerged the player placed the bet doubled with another English club bet.

"The sanction was imposed under Rule 100 of the FAI Rules which prohibits any player from betting on any match or competition in which he/she participates," read tonight's statement from the FAI disciplinary committee who dealt with the matter.

"In accordance with FAI rules, the club was notified of this hearing on December 10th and invited to submit comments. The club responded with a written submission."

The FAI also noted mitigating circumstances when making their decision. Dempsey had freely admitted placing the bet, financial sanctions had already been imposed by eircom Premier Division side plus the relatively small sum of money involved.

It was also pointed out that "the player did not play in this game and there is no evidence the player sought to manipulate the outcome of game".

"This five match suspension will be imposed from the first senior competitive match of the 2009 season," the statement added.