Fans can attend Rovers game after U-turn decision

SHAMROCK Rovers Football Club have announced that they will kick of the new season at Tallaght Stadium against UCD on Friday, February 18, with fans in attendance after the FAI’s original decision to play behind closed doors has been overturned.

The news comes as the Football Association of Ireland has confirmed their conclusion to the investigation around a fireworks incident at the Waterford FC against Shamrock Rovers game on November 5 last year.

A number of fireworks were set off over the pitch 15 minutes in at the RSC during the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division game and one man was injured in the incident and was taken to Waterford Regional Hospital where he received treatment for his injuries which were non life-threatening.

The match was halted for several minutes as players from both sides ran to take cover and shielded themselves as the fireworks detonated above the pitch and sparks rained down on them.

At the time, Shamrock Rovers announced that they “unequivocally condemn” the actions of the two men, stating that they will be issuing “indefinite bans” to the people involved from attending Tallaght Stadium.

In a statement released on Wednesday by the FAI, they confirmed that the matter has progressed through the Association’s judicial process and an independent appeal committee has now ruled that the decision to play the Shamrock Rovers FC vs UCD AFC game on February 18 behind closed doors be set aside.

Despite the ban being lifted on fans attending the stadium next Friday, FAI’s independent Disciplinary Control Unit have ordered that Rovers pay a fine of €5,000.

The club released a statement today, February 9, saying that they “welcome” the decision announced by the FAI: “We look forward to welcoming back the thousands of Hoops fans that attended our last game, lifting the league trophy. On target to achieve a record number of Season Tickets sales, it promises to be a great occasion.”