Ex-Blackburn Women's star Kelsie Burrows hit with 16-match ban for alleged assault on match official

As BBC Sport reports, the incident is alleged to have occurred after the game, with referee Simon Bickerstaff showing Burrows a red card, though the exact nature of the confrontation remains unknown. The win elevated Cliftonville to a strong position in Northern Ireland's Women's Premiership, putting them just six points behind current leaders Linfield with two games still in hand, but the controversy surrounding Burrows now threatens to overshadow their season.

The fallout from the Glentoran match wasn’t limited to Burrows, though. Cliftonville coach Brendan Lynch has also received a three-game touchline ban as punishment for "entering the field of play to confront a match official".

Burrows' football journey includes two stints with Linfield and a spell in England with Blackburn Rovers in the Women’s Championship. She has been a central figure for Cliftonville since joining in July 2021 from Linfield. The 24-year-old, who is also a Northern Ireland international, played a pivotal role in helping the club secure its first-ever league title in 2022. More recently, Burrows captained the side through a historic 2024 season in which they completed a domestic treble, winning every single match in the league.

The Irish Football Association has confirmed that Burrows' suspension is effective immediately and will span across all competitions. However, Cliftonville are actively appealing the decision, citing grounds they believe justify a review. Due to the appeal being lodged, Burrows remains eligible to feature in the Reds' next fixture against the Crusaders Strikers on Friday.