60 NI fans removed from flight

More than 60 Northern Ireland fans were thrown off a flight from Madrid to Gran Canaria early this morning after allegedly disturbing…

More than 60 Northern Ireland fans were thrown off a flight from Madrid to Gran Canaria early this morning after allegedly disturbing other passengers, Iberia Airlines has said.

The pilot ordered them off but all bar four apologised and caught later flights, the spokeswoman confirmed.

The supporters were on their way to Wednesday's make-or-break Euro 2008 qualifier against Spain.

Amalgamation of Northern Ireland Supporters' Clubs press officer Gary McAllister said: "I am aware that there's been an incident of some description, the full details of which I am not aware.

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"We will be having a meeting with the IFA after the match is over to discuss this. The vast majority of games are attended without incident."

A spokeswoman for Iberia verified the details but said she had nothing to add at this stage.

One supporter told the BBC those thrown off were not at all rowdy. "I would dispute that allegation totally.

The flight was at 11.55pm. Everybody just wanted to get their head down and get to sleep. There was nothing whatsoever, there was no shouting, there was no singing."

He said most of the passengers were supporters and denied any altercation.

PA