THE English Football Association is being asked to foot part of the bill for personal injuries claims by fans hurt in the riot, at the Ireland England match in Lansdowne Road last year.
Judge Esmonde Smyth was told in the Circuit Civil Court that the Football Association of Ireland sought an indemnity from the FA on the grounds it was negligent in the distribution of tickets to English fans who were known troublemakers.
Mr Hugh Mohan, counsel for the FAI, said his client believed the riot was inspired by English football supporters in the West Stand who had obtained almost 1,800 tickets through the FA.
The court heard English fans were known for riotous conduct at home and abroad and the ringleaders were known to the FA and the English police.
Mr Mohan said it was the duty and obligation of the FA to control the distribution of the tickets so as to ensure they did not fall into the hands of English supporters likely to pose a threat of violence.
Mr Martin Hayden, counsel for a number of fans injured allegedly because of the riot, said if the English FA owed a duty of care to the Irish Association then it, in turn, owed such a duty to victims of the riot.
Judge Smyth granted orders joining the FA Ltd, Lancaster Gate, London, as a co defendant with the FAI, the Garda Commissioner, and Minister for Justice in six cases in which a total of £180,000 damages is claimed.
