Rovers issue statement in support of fan detained in Bulgaria

SHAMROCK Rovers has issued a statement in support of a fan who is being detained by Bulgarian authorities, after it is understood they questioned the validity of his passport photograph.

Daniel Fulham, a long-standing club member and volunteer, was held by Bulgarian border police when making the return journey to Bucharest following the Champions League qualifier with Ludogorets on Tuesday night.

In recent days Daniel’s family, friends and club have started a campaign seeking the 28-year-old’s release and return home.

In a statement issued on Thursday afternoon, Shamrock Rovers said: “A Shamrock Rovers fan was held by Bulgarian border police when he was making the return journey to Bucharest with a group of other Hoops fans who had travelled to Razgard for the Champions League qualifier v Ludogorets on Tuesday night.

“Daniel Fulham is a long-standing club member and volunteer who has made many international journeys in his working and social life with the same passport as was presented to the border police.

“It is understood that the authorities questioned the validity of the photograph in matching Daniel’s identity.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs is liaising on the matter in which there is no doubt about the validity of the passport, and we hope to see the matter closed as quickly as possible for Daniel to return home.”

This afternoon, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney TD, tweeted in relation to calls for the Tallaght man to get home as soon as possible that, ‘My Department and our embassies are working on this’.

It is understood that the Department of Foreign Affairs is providing consular assistance to Daniel’s family.