FOOTBALL: Carrick could face relegation over manager's touchline ban

It has come to light that the Taylor’s Avenue outfit may face a three-point deduction over manager Gary Haveron’s recent touchline ban.

The Irish Football Association sidelined Haveron for three matches and fined the club £100 after he was ordered from the dugout in the 4-3 win over Crusaders in March.

He served an automatic next-game suspension against Glentoran (March 26), before sitting out two further matches at home to Ballymena United (April 16) and Portadown (April 19).

However, the Irish FA had stated that after the Glentoran match the further two-game ban commenced on Monday, April 18.

It all means that Haveron could have taken his seat in the dugout for the defeat to Ballymena and shouldn’t have been in the technical area during the 3-1 win at Dungannon Swifts (April 23).

Carrick could potentially be left to face losing the points from the victory at Stangmore Park over what the Times understands was an honest mistake.

Three games were served by the 35-year-old but it could now be up to the decision-makers to determine whether they see fit to sanction in a manner which could lead to a drop to the Irish League’s second tier after Carrick fought tooth and nail to earn the right to stay in the Danske Bank Premiership.

Any decision to deduct points would have major consequences for the Gers, while Warrenpoint Town would face a play-off and Ballinamallard United would be guaranteed Premiership football again next term.

Carrick Rangers are now awaiting news of any potential action.