Cliftonville Ladies' captain Kelsie Burrows has been handed a 16-match ban for an alleged assault on a match official. The incident occurred after Cliftonville's 2-0 victory over Glentoran Women on 25 July, where Burrows was shown a red card by referee Simon Bickerstaff. The suspension is effective immediately and applies to all competitions, but the club has decided to appeal the decision, allowing Burrows to play in the upcoming Premiership game against Crusaders Strikers.

In addition to Burrows' suspension, team coach Brendan Lynch has received a three-match ban for entering the field of play to confront a match official. This incident has stirred significant attention within the football community, especially as Cliftonville remains in a strong position in the league, currently six points behind leaders Linfield with two games in hand.

The Irish Football Association (IFA) and the Northern Ireland Football League (NIFL) have been contacted for comments regarding the incident. The outcome of the appeal will be crucial for Cliftonville's season, as they aim to maintain their competitive edge in the league.

This incident highlights the importance of maintaining discipline and respect towards match officials, a cornerstone of fair play in football. The football community will be closely watching the developments of this case, as it could set a precedent for future disciplinary actions in the sport.