Glentoran Football Club was this week fined by the IFA for an incident of spectator misbehaviour at Solitude involving a smoke bomb. As was explained here last week football authorities in Northern Ireland are not only fining clubs but have made it clear that continued misbehaviour by supporters will ultimately lead to points deductions and playing behind closed doors.
Our support at Solitude, and again at Seaview last week was immense both in size and in how it got behind the team. The players and management have all said that our supporters have been a twelfth man to us this season and has created an atmosphere like no other, particularly at away venues. An absolute credit to both our club and to East Belfast. So please don’t let one or two misguided fans put a dampener on the most exciting time we have all experienced in a long time.
We know there are many new or returning supporters with us this year. That's fantastic to see, but if you're unfamilar with the rules, here is a reminder of the core elements of the key elements of the IFA Supporter Behaviour Policy. This spectator behaviour legislation covers all matches played by Premiership and Championship clubs in Northern Ireland and is enforced by the PSNI either at the game or through post match video footage or photography.
OFFENCES INCLUDE:
• Throwing articles capable of causing injury
• Indecent, sectarian or discriminatory chanting
• Entering the playing area
• Possession of fireworks, smokebombs, flares etc.
• Possession of alcohol on prescribed vehicles en route to a regulated match
CONSEQUENCES
• Banned from matches
• Arrest
• Fines
• Imprisonment
For more information visit www.irishfa.com/spectatorbehaviour
Glentoran has the best and fastest growing supporter base in Northern Ireland. #Be Loud..........DoUsProud
