PSNI probes ‘homophobic abuse’ of referee
POLICE are investigating a claim that an Irish League referee was subjected to a hate crime while officiating at a match earlier this year.
It is alleged that a homophobic comment was directed at the official by a player participating in a pre-season friendly game.
The Sunday Life said the game did not involve two top-flight Irish League teams and there were no assistant referees present for the friendly.
The incident was included in the referee’s official match report, which went to the Irish Football Association and to the body’s disciplinary committee for a hearing.
The player accused of the abuse was represented by a barrister at the hearing and was also accompanied by his manager and the club’s secretary.
A spokesperson for the IFA stated that the investigation has not yet been concluded and said that it would be “inappropriate” to comment at this stage.
The PSNI confirmed that it has launched an investigation into an attempted assault on August
9.
“This is being treated as a hate crime and enquiries are ongoing,” added the spokesperson.
Meanwhile, Linfield has launched an investigation into alleged abuse directed towards a delegation of Glentoran officials by Blues fans during an Irish League fixture and has vowed to ban those who took part.
Linfield chairman Roy McGivern (above) confirmed that any fans found guilty of verbally abusing the east Belfast club’s party will be banned from Windsor Park.
The alleged incident took place after Kirk Miller’s late goal sealed a 1-0 victory for David Healy’s side over their Big Two rivals on Saturday, September 14.
It is understood that the Glentoran delegation, along with the club’s new owner Ali Pour, were subjected to a number of remarks from nearby Linfield supporters.
“If it is established that any of our fans made abusive comments to members of the Glentoran party, Linfield Football Club will take steps to ban them,” stated Mr McGivern.
Iranian/Welsh businessman Mr Pour, along with his consortium, has invested heavily in the Glens after a summer takeover at The Oval.
Mr Pour was at Windsor Park to watch his first Big Two derby and it is believed the Glentoran contingent consisted of directors, staff and family members.
It is understood that any abuse the party received came from a small minority of Linfield supporters.
The National Stadium at Windsor Park does not have a purpose-built directors’ box but does use a VIP area.
“We have spoken to our counterparts at Glentoran about alleged incidents after last Saturday’s game, we are looking into it and steps will be taken to ban supporters if they are found to have abused anyone,” he added.
In a separate incident, Glentoran manager Mick McDermott has said that if any of his players have been found to have broken club rules they will be dealt with internally.
This follows claims that up to four players breached an alcohol ban just 48 hours before the clash with Linfield after they were seen socialising in Belfast city centre bars.