Ireland fans call for explanation for ‘heavy-handed’ security

Republic of Ireland supporters' group YBIG (You Boys in Green) has called for an explanation for the allegedly "heavy-handed treatment" meted out to some supporters by "stadium personnel" during Ireland's 4-1 win over the USA on Tuesday night.

The online fan group claims supporters were “stunned” by the “heavy security presence in the South Stand Lower” where they are perennially located in Block 114.

During the game - while protesting against the FAI's ticketing policy for away games that resulted in many fans being denied tickets for last week's Euro 2016 qualifier against Scotland in Glasgow, and while vocalising their opposition to the association's chief executive John Delaney - YBIG claims fans were subjected to "intimidation and manhandling . . . resulting (in) a completely unnecessary escalation of tension."

Some banners were removed from fans, they say, insisting none of them contravened stadium regulations, copies of which were shown to security personnel at the scene. YBIG claims, in some cases, this resulted in the “tearing up of the regulations in the faces of supporters”.

Rule 7 of the Aviva Stadium regulations states, in fact, that “banners” are “not permitted”, along with such items as “fireworks, smoke canisters, vuvuzelas, bottles, knives and glasses”. In practice, the law in relation to banners is rarely enforced by stadium authorities or the FAI, given that the section brings the most noise and colour to proceedings.

“It must be noted that the section had never been involved in any behaviour that attracted Garda presence in the past,” the YBIG statement continued. “This level of security was specifically targeted at this section, and was not replicated around the ground.”

YBIG added: “Supporters are currently collecting video and photographic evidence of these events and are considering formal complaints over the behaviour of stadium personnel and Gardai in this matter.”

The Irish Times understands there was concern among An Garda Siochána about the possibility of an anti-water charges protest but that never materialised and fans have dismissed the idea that their protest could have been mistaken for it or any other politically motivated campaign.

In his programme notes on Tuesday, Delaney said the association was “disappointed with a number of aspects concerning tickets for the recent away match in Scotland, particularly the SFA’s handling of certain important issues.”

Delaney always contended the SFA’s allocation of the minimum five per cent for travelling fans to Celtic Park was the main reason for some well-travelled fans not getting tickets for last Friday’s game. Supporters, however, dismissed this and blamed the association’s lack of a “priority” ticketing scheme.

Delaney added: “On our side we have appointed a supporter liaison officer to form a travel club for those independent supporters who are not members of supporter clubs but who have travelled around the world regularly in support of the national team.”

That “liaison officer” is the FAI’s head of security Joe McGlue. He, along with the association, has asked YBIG to form an official supporters’ club.

Neither the FAI nor An Garda Siochána had a comment to make on the matter today.