Club Statement

COLERAINE Football Club would like to make our spectators aware that members of the Board and stewarding team attended a disciplinary meeting with the Irish Football Association…

The meeting was due to breaches of Articles 33.1 & 33.2, which relate to spectator/fan behaviour at the away match against Cliftonville on December 6 and at the home match against Ballymena United on Boxing Day.

ARTICLES

33.1 The home club is liable for any improper conduct among spectators, regardless of the question of culpable conduct or culpable oversight and depending on the circumstances, may be fined. Further sanctions outlined in Article 1.9 of this code may be imposed in the 23 Disciplinary Code case of serious disturbances.

33.2 The visiting club is liable for improper conduct among its own group of spectators, regardless of the question of culpable conduct or culpable oversight and depending on the circumstances, may be fined. Further sanctions outlined in Article 1.9 of this Code may be imposed. Spectators occupying the away sector of a ground are regarded as the visiting club’s supporters, unless proven by the club to the contrary.

As a result of these non-contested breaches the Club has suffered yet again another monetary fine and a warning that these fines will keep increasing if these breaches continue with the additional worry of part of ground closures.

The Club would like to make those spectators that continue to act in an antisocial way aware that this will not be tolerated.  A football match should be an enjoyable event for all those attending whether you are a home or away fan.

Anyone identified displaying any type of antisocial behaviour regardless of age will be reported to the PSNI and issued with a Banning Order which will be served by the PSNI. This is not a path that the Club favours but in order to display our zero tolerance to this misconduct we feel this is our only option as our aim is to make the ‘Match Day’ experience welcoming and enjoyable to everyone in the community.