Mon. Dec 23rd, 2024
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The second half of Linfield's game away to Coleraine was delayed after flares were let off at the Showgrounds
The second half of Linfield’s game away to Coleraine was delayed after flares were let off at the Showgrounds

Linfield say they have been “partly successful” in appealing a decision to ban all home supporters from two Irish Premiership fixtures.

The punishment was handed down by the Irish FA’s disciplinary committee as result of spectator misconduct during a match at Coleraine in February.

Linfield chose to appeal the decision, which they called “unduly harsh”.

Members and season ticket holders will be able to attend the matches and the Kop Stand will be closed.

The outcome of the appeal means that Linfield will have a limited capacity for their first two home fixtures of the split, which makes up the final five matches of the Irish Premiership season.

The start of the second-half of the match between Coleraine and Linfield on 16 February was delayed at the Showgrounds after a number of flares were lit in the away end.

The south Belfast club had a suspended one-game stadium ban for fans in Windsor Park’s Kop Stand from their Boxing Day game against Glentoran.

The stand was closed for Linfield’s game at home to Newry City on 16 March.

A Linfield statement read: “After a lengthy challenge hearing, during which the club put forward a detailed and robust defence that the suggested sanction was unduly harsh, the punishment has now been reduced and our members and season ticket holders will be able to attend the games in question.

“The Kop Stand will be closed for both matches.

“Despite the partial success of this Disciplinary Challenge, our supporters should be left in no doubt that any further crowd misbehaviour, at home or away games, will lead to significant disciplinary consequences being imposed on the Club. In particular, we have a suspended punishment of potentially having to play a home game behind closed doors if any further spectator disturbances occur before 31st December 2024.

Our Members, loyal supporters and wider Linfield family will now appreciate that the Board of Directors will have to take significant and unprecedented steps concerning match ticketing to protect the club’s position going forward.”

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