Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Northern Ireland: Supporters treated ‘shamefully’ in Bulgaria game says fans spokesman

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Northern Ireland fans spokesman Gary McAllister says supporters received “shameful and totally unacceptable treatment” in Sunday’s Nations League game in Bulgaria which included “being subjected to violent attack”.

The chairman of the Amalgamation of Official Northern Ireland Supporters’ Clubs [AONISC] said fans had been been denied “basic rights of water and toilet facilities” after being locked into their section of the stadium in Plovdiv.

“It also created a serious safety issue. We contacted Irish FA staff, who in turn spoke to the Uefa delegate, and eventually, the gates were opened,” said McAllister.

“Some of our fans were also subjected to violent attack as they made their way back to the city centre, and one fan was hospitalised.”

The Irish FA said that it had “engaged with Uefa at a senior level to indicate that our fans do not have the history or profile which suggests they deserve the type of treatment that has been reported”.

“We expect an update in due course and want to take this opportunity to thank our fans for their continued support,” said the Irish FA statement.

The IFA earlier told BBC Sport NI that it had been in touch with the AONISC over the issue.

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