Bray Wanderers removed from IRN-BRU Cup and banned from signing players

Bray Wanderers have been removed from the IRN-BRU Cup and banned from signing players for the rest of the season after failing to meet an FAI deadline to pay money owed to players.

The club were set a deadline by the FAI to settle all outstanding wage payments with squad members by 5pm on Monday evening but the deadline past without any change in the situation.

Players have gone unpaid since May 24th – almost two months – while senior players John Sullivan and Hugh Douglas have been forced to pay for operations as they weren't covered by the club.

The FAI released a statement on Monday confirming that, while the club insist they are moving closer to a resolution, they would levy sanctions due to the missed deadline.

Bray had been due, along with Bohemians, to compete as the league's entry in the IRN-BRU Scottish Challenge Cup next month. Their spot will now be reallocated.

The Seagulls will also be unable to sign any new players for the remainder of the 2018 season, which will seemingly apply even if they do settle their debts.

Limerick have likewise been hit with a transfer ban for the rest of the season despite assurances players would be paid up to date by Tuesday.

FAI Statement on Bray Wanderers:

The Football Association of Ireland confirms that sanctions will be imposed on Bray Wanderers FC with immediate effect following the club's failure to meet an agreed deadline of settling monies owed to players.

FAI officials were engaged with the club over the weekend in an effort to resolve the issue of outstanding monies owed to players and another meeting took place today (Monday, July 16) ahead of the agreed deadline of 17:00.



While the club insist that they are moving closer to a resolution, the FAI have imposed sanctions on the club following their failure to transfer monies owed to players by the set deadline.

As a result, the FAI have removed Bray Wanderers FC from participating in the 2018-19 IRN-BRU Scottish Challenge Cup and the club will not be permitted to register any new players for the remainder of the 2018 SSE Airtricity League season.

The FAI will meet again with the club on Tuesday morning in the hope that a resolution can be found to ensure that all monies owed to players are paid in full.

A meeting between FAI officials and Limerick FC will take place this evening (Monday). A separate statement on that will be released in due course.