An amateur soccer team from a nationalist area in north Belfast played the RUC at the weekend despite strong objections from Sinn Fein. Newington football club had been warned by the Irish Amateur League that it would he expelled if the game did not go ahead.
Sinn Fein had demanded that the club boycott the match. However, club members met on Saturday and voted in favour of playing. Newington beat the RUC 2-0. It is understood that players opposed to the game were given the option of withdrawing and were reassured they would not be left out of future team selections.
Several players reportedly decided not to play but Newington still fielded a full-strength team.
The SDLP said it fully supported Newington's decision on "this most difficult dilemma". Councillor Martin Morgan said: "If they had decided not to play, they would have faced expulsion. I hope they will be able to put this match behind them and be left in peace to play football."
Alliance sports spokesman Mr Michael Long also welcomed the decision. "I applaud those in the club who have resisted political interference from the bully-boys in Sinn Fein. Sinn Fein have acted disgracefully in their attempt to hype up the situation."
However, Sinn Fein councillor Mr Bobby Lavery said Newington should never have been placed in a position where it had to play the RUC or be expelled.