Life bans for soccer thugs who targeted manager’s sick son
Club boss horrified at cancer taunts
DISGUSTING abuse about a soccer manager’s sick son at a League of Ireland match has resulted in lifetime bans for two hooligans.
Shamrock Rovers boss Stephen Bradley was targeted with vile chants about his child’s leukaemia when the Dublin club travelled to face Cork City last Friday.
Cork club’s owner Dermot Usher yesterday revealed: “Two people have been identified, two people have admitted to their wrongs. These two guys are going to get lifetime bans.”
He was asked on RTE Radio if other clubs and the FAI could extend the ban.
Mr Usher replied: “I think all clubs would support what we’re trying to do.”
Mr Bradley’s nine-year-old son Josh has received treatment for leukaemia, a cancer of the white blood cells that begins in the bone marrow.
An FAI spokesperson said: “We and the League of Ireland fully support Cork City in their condemnation of the abhorrent behaviour of a small number of fans directed towards Shamrock Rovers Head Coach Stephen Bradley last Friday. We will support their proposed action in any way we can.
“We will also continue to support Stephen, Josh and his family and look forward to welcoming Josh to League
ACTION of Ireland matches throughout the season.”
Mr Usher confirmed yesterday he has met Mr Bradley and issued an unreserved apology to him, while gardai last night told the Irish Mirror that an investigation is ongoing.
A Garda spokesman said: “Officers in Bridewell, Cork, are aware of an incident that took place following a football match at Turners Cross, Cork, on May 26. Enquiries are ongoing at this time.”
The abuse happened in the Corner Flag pub following Cork City’s 1-0 win over the visitors.
CCTV in the premises recorded the offenders and their abusive chants, while witnesses were thanked by the Cork club for helping the internal investigation.
Mr Usher, who took over the club in January, said: “Gardai were down and took away the CCTV and took witness statements. They said it is unacceptable. It is very raw for Stephen.
“As any parent would, you can imagine your nine-year-old child going through what he’s going through, and what the family is going through.
“To have that thrown at you as abuse crosses the line. There is a disconnect between what people say, whether vocally at a match or on Twitter, and what people think is acceptable.
“It is not acceptable and it will not be tolerated. This is beyond the beyond.”
Some Cork City fans have since launched a fundraiser in aid of cancer charities with the permission of the Bradley family.
Kildare-based businessman Mr Usher added: “I just can’t believe people think it’s OK to actually chant the things that these guys said.
“We as a club would apologise unreservedly towards Stephen and his family. I met him, we’d a quick chat about it. It’s just not good enough.”
He said the offenders were named
within an hour and added: “The behaviour of everybody around the whole thing has been really strong.”
Cork City FC tweeted to “unreservedly condemn the actions of a handful of individuals who directed disgusting abuse” at Bradley “from outside the stadium”.
It vowed to work with “all relevant authorities to identify those involved and take the appropriate action”.
It also issued its apology to Bradley for the “actions of these individuals”.
Mr Usher wrote online: “These people are not Cork City fans. This type of behaviour has no place in society.”
A statement from the Corner Flag pub beside City’s Turner’s Cross ground confirmed it worked with the club and gardai. It read: “We utterly condemn the vile, disgusting chants.
“Our staff and security team identified those involved and [worked] closely with the club and gardai to ensure the appropriate action is taken.”
A statement from Shamrock Rovers added: “We condemn the actions of a number of individuals. Particularly hurtful verbal abuse was directed toward our head coach Stephen Bradley and his family.”
Mr Bradley said at the time of the abuse: “That’s disgusting. That has no place in football or society. That’s disgusting behaviour.”
These people are not Cork City fans. This type of behaviour has no place in society
DERMOT USHER CORK CITY FC