Rovers condemn behaviour of fans

Soccer:It will be at least two weeks before Shamrock Rovers learn whether they will face any sanctions for the crowd trouble that marred last night's 2-1 Airtricity League Premier Division defeat to Dundalk at Oriel Park.

The FAI’s independent disciplinary committee is expected to discuss the incident when it meets on May 19th. In the meantime, the league will gather feedback from the two clubs, the match delegate, gardaí and referee Damien Hancock.

Rovers have this afternoon condemned the "behaviour of the 10 to 15 so called ‘fans’" and promised “serious action … against anyone identified as having taken part in the incident”.

The group clashed with gardaí in the 80th minute of the game, immediately after Hancock dismissed Rovers manager Michael O’Neill, who was incensed by the referee’s decision to show midfielder James Chambers a second yellow card.

A small section of the 500-strong Rovers support pushed through a fence separating them from the main body of home fans. Bottles and other missiles were thrown before they were forced back into their own section by a sizeable Garda presence, including dog handlers.

Although many involved in the incident were clearly identifiable at the scene and on television, there were no arrests made and gardaí reported no trouble after the match.

Nevertheless, league director Fran Gavin insists the incident is not being taken lightly.

“Any incident that puts the safety of the public, players or match officials at risk, we take very seriously,” said Gavin. “What we saw last night (Monday) wasn’t acceptable in any sport, anywhere.”

Gavin added that what he saw “does not represent Shamrock Rovers” – a sentiment echoed by the club statement.

“Since moving to Tallaght, we regularly attract crowds of around 4,000 people, including many families, and these dozen or so individuals do not fit in at Shamrock Rovers,” the statement read.

“We understand the FAI is carrying out an investigation into the incident; and we intend to fully co-operate with that inquiry.”

Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern, who was among the home support at the game, has called on those involved to be banned from League of Ireland football grounds for life.

Ahern said the culprits were identifiable and called on Rovers to “take action” before adding: “To be fair, the vast majority of Shamrock Rovers supporters were there to see a game.”