A SECOND local soccer team in the North has withdrawn - from a game against an RUC side after being given "advice" by Sinn Fein.
The president of the Irish Football Association, Mr Jim Boyce, expressed sadness at the reported cancellation of the game between Newington and RUC Olympic.
Several weeks ago, Donegal Celtic pulled out of the Bass Irish Cup after similar talks with Sinn Fein.
The North Belfast Sinn Fein councillor, Mr Joe Austin, claimed that the RUC had been operating "charm offensives" in the nationalist communities. Several Newington players had asked Sinn Fein whether they should participate in the match.
He claimed Sinn Fein had given advice to members of the team, but had not forced the club to cancel the game.
The Irish News reported that it had received an anonymous call from a man saying he was a playing member of Newington. "We have been given the same advice as Donegal Celtic and I totally disagree with the so called advice," he is quoted as saying.
"It is unbelievable what is happening to football when we are trying to build bridges."
