Cork City Football Club has apologised after Gardaí and stewards were filmed engaging with fans holding a banner reading 'Delaney Out.'
Gardaí have said they responding to a “complaint of a minor assault” during the incident at Turner’s Cross Stadium last night.
It happened after stewards at the stadium attempted to confiscate an anti-FAI banner from supporters.
CLUB STATEMENT | The club has issued the following statement: https://t.co/YjZSrhZMN4 #CCFC84
— Cork City FC (@CorkCityFC) April 13, 2019
In a statement, Cork City FC said it intends to “review reports and speak to all parties concerned.”
“The board is committed to making visits to Turner’s Cross an enjoyable one for all supporters,” it said.
“We apologise for any upset these actions caused for our supporters/staff and will review all of the club’s internal security procedures with our event controller and Gardaí.”
The club has called on anyone in possession of footage of the incident to email forastrust@corkcityfc.ie.
‘Delaney Out’ banner was taken down at this stage. People can decide for themselves who over reacted. https://t.co/IGPALL8Zsr
— Jonathan O'Brien (@JOBrien_SF) April 13, 2019
Sinn Féin TD Jonathan O’Brien was ejected from the stadium following the protest.
He told the Irish sun that he was “disappointed in the reaction of the Gardaí” but said he “won’t be making too much of it.”
"This is a really bad look for the FAI if people are seen not to be allowed conduct peaceful protests,” he said. “What do they expect?
"At the most recent international match against Georgia, tennis balls were thrown on the pitch and that was condemned by the FAI.
"You hold up a peaceful banner saying ‘Delaney Out’ and that is not allowed either.”
A general view of Turner's Cross Stadium in Cork, 12-04-2019. Image: INPHO/Oisin KeniryBanner
Irish Examiner reporter Joe Logue said Gardaí on duty at the stadium got involved after stewards tried to remove the banner.
He said most supporters would not have noticed the incident.
“It was, I suppose, a distraction for some people watching but I would say many others didn’t even notice it happened,” he said.
“There was no trouble at the game last night really.
“The gardaí were there and were involved so there would have been gardaí down there anyway but that is just as per protocol.”
In a statement, Gardaí said: “Following a complaint of a minor assault by management and security staff at Turners Cross football stadium last evening, Friday April 12th 2019, Gardaí on duty at the stadium responded to the incident and assisted security staff.”
“No arrests were made and the situation was resolved.
“No injuries were reported.”
FAI executive vice-president John Delaney (centre) arrives at Leinster House, Dublin, with representatives of the Football Association of Ireland FAI, 10-04-2019. Image: Brian Lawless/PA Wire/PA ImagesDelaney
On Friday, the Professional Footballers’ Association of Ireland (PFAI) described the FAI’s appearance before the Oireachtas Sports Committee as a "new low" for Irish football.
At the hearing, former CEO John Delaney repeatedly refused to answer questions about a €100,000 loan he gave the organisation in 2017.
He also refused to answer questions on the FAIs finances or his former role as CEO.
The Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he does not believe “anyone would be satisfied” by Mr Delaney’s refusal to answer the questions.
“I think the public taxpayers, football fans would have liked to have seen those questions being answered,” he said.
