Boxing Day Match Banned After Crowd Trouble

There is uproar today as the biggest match in the local soccer calendar has been effectively banned.

The annual derby between Linfield and Glentoran on Boxing Day was marred by crowd trouble at Windsor Park last December with the Irish Football Association's disciplinary committee now hitting both clubs with a £1,000 fine and banning any such games on a public holiday for two years.

The move has caused outrage from both clubs, both of whom will be appealed.

Glentoran is even threatening to withdraw from the IFA altogether; such is the depth of feeling aroused.

The move comes after riot police had to be called to quell rioting by Glentoran fans in the North Stand in the Festive showpiece.

However, the match which was due to be staged at The Oval in east Belfast this December and is one of the biggest revenue earners – bringing in a huge crowd and generating £40,000-plus in gate receipts.

Linfield Chairman Jim Kerr said: "This is an outrageous decision by a committee made up of junior representatives.

"It was 30 or 40 Glentoran supporters who caused the trouble and I don't see how we can be hit with a fine. The decision to ban the game from being played on a public holiday - and I think they mean any public holiday - is unbelievable.

"This decision penalises the 10,000 fans who behave themselves. Only 30 or 40 caused the mayhem.

"For this eight-man committee, made up of people who have no knowledge of running a senior club or finances, the decision is draconian," Mr Kerr told the News Letter.

Glentoran Chairman Aubrey Ralph was equally distressed over the ruling. "I'm very disappointed that our views were brushed aside.

"This ruling is totally disproportionate and I would question whether they (the committee) had the power to take this decision."

Threatening withdrawal from the IFA on a BBC Radio Ulster interview this morning he said: "This has serious implications for Irish League football."

(BMcC/JM)