FAI to rule on riot in two weeks

IT WILL be at least two weeks before Shamrock Rovers learn whether they will face any sanctions for the crowd trouble that marred Monday 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, garda and referee Damien Hancock.

Rovers have 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.”

Indeed, it would be in the club’s interests to act decisively to minimise the chances of being handed anything more than a fine.

A stadium ban or points deduction would appear unlikely, not least because the incident took place away from home and involved a relatively small proportion of the travelling support.

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

A small portion of a 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.

Despite many involved being clearly identifiable at the scene and on television, there were no arrests made, while garda 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,” he said yesterday. “What we saw last night (Monday) wasn’t acceptable in any sport, anywhere.” Gavin added those involved do “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.”

Speaking after the game, O’Neill admitted he was wrong to react the way he did to the dismissal of Chambers.

Having been sent from his dugout, he did not see the clashes but said: “I know what went on wasn’t obviously pleasant. It’s not something you want to see at any football match with any team.”