Dundalk FC threaten lifetime bans and legal action for any supporters caught using flares at games

Flares being lit at a Dundalk game

Dundalk FC have issued a renewed appeal to fans not to use pyrotechnics, flares, smoke bombs or canisters at club matches.

The Oriel Park outfit have been issued with a series of fines in recent seasons as a result of fans lighting these devices. This led to an impassioned plea from the board at the start of the season encouraging people not to bring them to games.

However, those appeals have fallen on deaf ears with a large number of flares being lit at the recent Setanta Cup final defeat to Sligo Rovers in Tallaght Stadium.

They have now made a fresh appeal ahead of back-to-back home matches against neighbours Drogheda Utd tomorrow and Sligo Rovers on Friday for those behind the flares to stop at once, saying that the club could end up having to play behind close doors if it continues.

While the club statement insists that the offenders “represent less than 1% of our support”, they have hit out at the continued use of these objects and revealed they had taken legal advice on the matter – threatening to take “serious action” against individuals who persist on using them.

In a statement on the club’s website, the board said: “At the recent Setanta Cup Final, Dundalk FC brought over 2000 supporters to the match. The flags, songs, encouragement and the backing our supporters following the final whistle was truly appreciated by the team. What let us down badly were the individuals – who represent less than 1% of our support – who showed complete disregard for the safety of other Dundalk fans by not only using flares in a crowded area – but then also attempting to throw the still-lit flares over the heads of Dundalk supporters.

“This message goes directly to these individuals – the half 15-20 people who are deliberately attempting to get the club into trouble and will be so reckless in their attempts to do so that they do not care about causing injury to other Dundalk supporters.

“Dundalk FC received numerous complaints from supporters after the Cork City match when two smoke bombs were let off.  The smoke that comes out of these canisters have now caused breathing difficulties for our supporters on more than one occasion. This incident also cost the club a big fine.

“At the Setanta Cup Final, we are aware of two supporters who were burned by the flares used. One of the thrown flares struck an innocent bystander. One individual received hospital treatment as a result of burns from a flare.

“Another supporter showed us how her clothes were burnt by a flare.

“Let us be clear to the half a percent of our supporters who are using these items – it’s not that the Board of Management of the club are trying to stop you having fun, it’s not that the FAI are being unreasonable by their alarm at the actions of these supporters – it’s your fellow supporters in the Shed and at away matches that are complaining about your actions.

“We are also aware of another recent trend among these individuals. Pathetically, they are using young children to hide these flares and to take them away when security is alerted. We have spoken to one of these young fans and it is clear that they simply do not understand the danger these older supporters are putting them in.

“This is why all “pyros” are banned from football grounds and why Dundalk FC will now be taking extra measures to protect our supporters against their dangers.

“We have received legal advice about this issue. The law is on our side to take serious action against individuals who persist at putting others at risk of injury.

“We have tried to educate supporters about the dangers of pyros in a way that was not heavy handed. We are aware of a considerable number of fans that have turned their back on using these items. However, we still have the 15-20 people who continue to use them and place supporters at risk.

“Given that the club faces severe fines from the FAI as a result of their usages – and could even face the prospect of being forced to play behind closed doors if this situation is not resolved – and having our appeals blatantly ignored by this small group of people – we will now step up our efforts to ban these individuals from all Dundalk FC matches both home and away.

“There will be no appeals, no final warnings and no sympathy to those found to have any pyrotechnics in their possession.We will ban them for life from Oriel Park and work with other clubs to ensure that they don’t attend away matches either. We will also take steps to begin legal action against those involved.

“All of these actions are costly and are serving to take our focus away from other areas of the club that require attention. The people who are placing Dundalk supporters at risk with the use of pyros are responsible for the club budget being changed to allow for more expensive security and legal costs. The knock-on effects of that should be obvious. However, the issue of the safety of our supporters is absolutely paramount.”

You can read the full statement here.

All roads lead to Oriel

Dundalk’s title challenge continues tonight when they host reigning champions Sligo Rovers at Oriel Park.

In the build up to the game, the board of Dundalk have issued a statement urging fans not to bring flares or smoke matches to any of the club’s matches as so far they have been fined €600 by the FAI. The release of the statement by the club follows on from a similar appeal from the Supporters’ Club earlier in the week.

The statement reads: “While the use of these items may appeal to some fans they are not permitted within Oriel Park or any other League of Ireland ground. Flares and smoke bombs have been banned from grounds all over Europe because of the danger of temporary or permanent injury not just to inexperienced or careless users, but more often innocent bystanders.

Dundalk FC have received written charges from FAI regarding the game at Tolka Park on Friday 9th August. The charges are in relation to 2 flares being ignited and a smoke bomb being thrown onto the playing surface which resulted in the match having to be temporarily halted to allow stewards to clear the item from the field.

The club has now been fined €600 for these incidents and the flare at our last home game while a Dundalk FC supporter received burns from one of the flares in Tolka.

It should not be necessary to point out to fans the difficulty in raising sufficient funds to keep the club running without having to pay unnecessary fines due to the behaviour of a small number of fans.

Dundalk FC wish to make it perfectly clear to everyone that the use of Flares, Smoke Bombs or other prohibited items is not allowed in Oriel Park. Anyone who does so will be subject to immediate removal from the ground and possible further action.

The Board of Dundalk FC are inviting supporters to meet to discuss this issue in the next week and hope to resolve this issue to the satisfaction of all. If you wish to be a part of these discussions or would like to make a written submission, please contact simon.blackmore@dfctrust.com. All are welcome to take part in this forum.”

Previously: Dundalk Supporters’ Club make appeal over flares and smoke bombs