Larne Gazette - News - They think it’s brawl over

News

They think it’s brawl over

Wednesday, 20 January 2010

FOOTBALL is described by many who follow the sport as a passionate, full-blooded affair, and it fair to say that the sport is no stranger to dramatic scenes on the pitch.
However, a mass brawl which erupted during a key game on Saturday, at Newry City's Showgrounds bringing the match to a premature end, is very definitely being treated as foul play.
The Irish Cup clash between Larne FC and Newry City became just that, a clash, turning violent and having to be abandoned after 82 minutes with Newry leading 2-1.
Larne players have been amongst those criticised for their behaviour in subsequent reports. Two Larne players, Liam Hogan and Alan Reid, and the club's manager, Paul Millar, were dismissed prior to the ugly scenes.
Saturday's melee rapidly became general, punches and kicks, the latter not of the football, ending up being traded across the pitch as shocked fans looked on in disbelief.
Fortunately, no serious injuries were sustained, although a number of people are believed to have suffered minor wounds.
An IFA enquiry has been launched following this unseemly spectacle, a spectacle involving players, coaching and support staff, and it is also understood that legal opinion is being sought. Life bans for some players were even being discussed in the media on Monday.
As is standard practice, police were not present at Saturday's game, a practice which may now have to be revised in light of what has been described as a very rare occurrence at an Irish League ground.
IFA President Raymond Kennedy slammed the fight, which has understandably received widespread media attention over the past few days, saying such behaviour has "no place" in the game.
In a statement from the IFA, Mr Kennedy said: " The Irish FA has launched an investigation into incidents which occurred at the Newry City v Larne JJB Sports Irish Cup game on Saturday.
“Following the submission of match reports, disciplinary matters will be dealt with by the Association's Disciplinary Committee; and the Challenge Cup Committee will subsequently deal with the Cup issues".
A statement released from Larne Football Club on Sunday read: "Larne Football Club today (Sunday) began an internal investigation into the events which caused the abandonment of Saturday's JJB Sports Irish Cup tie with Newry City.
“We wish to make it abundantly clear that we unequivocally condemn all violence at soccer matches, and make it clear that it has no place within the sport.
"The club intend to be in contact with our counterparts at Newry City at the earliest opportunity, to ensure the good relations between the two clubs have not been affected by yesterday's events.
“Once the full facts of the matter have been established by way of this investigation, any further moves taken by the club will be announced."
The nature and handling of the Association's enquiry, and its eventual conclusions, remain to be seen.
Indeed, full details Saturday's violent confrontation, which, as stated, involved a number of team members and club staff as fighting spread, are also still to be ascertained.
However, what is clear is that the brawlers have scored an own goal, one whose effects upon the teams, and the League as a whole, have yet to play themselves out.
It was also revealed that the PSNI are to look at evidence from the mass brawl, described as 'the worst violence at an Irish League match for decades'.
Two Larne players, Liam Hogan and Alan Reid, and the club's manager, Paul Millar, were dismissed prior to the ugly scenes.
“The PSNI intends to study all available footage to determine if a criminal offence has been committed," a spokesman said.
‘Farcical'
Referee Raymond Crangle is now due to submit a report to the Irish Football Association, while both clubs will be asked for their observations on the tie.
“In all my time in refereeing I never saw anything so farcical," said Mr Crangle after the game.
“There were melees developing all over the pitch involving players and substitutes and coaching staff from both dug-outs.
“I was left with no alternative but to abandon the game." Irish FA President Raymond Kennedy said he expected the referee's report to be forwarded in the next 24 hours.
“There is no place in football for the scenes that allegedly went on," he said yesterday. "The referee will report what he knows about it and there will be observations from both sides."