Treaty United denies volunteer was dismissed over ‘Stop the Game’ banner

A long-serving club volunteer claims he lost his role days after displaying a banner supporting a campaign to halt Ireland’s proposed football match against Israel

Jason Shanahan hung a ‘Stop the Game’ banner at Treaty United's home fixture against Kerry FC at Markets Field on Friday, July 3. The campaign is seeking the cancellation of Ireland's upcoming international fixture against Israel amid the war in Gaza. File picture: Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile

A Treaty United volunteer who displayed a banner supporting a campaign to halt Ireland's planned football match against Israel says he was later dismissed by the club — a claim Treaty United has rejected.

Jason Shanahan hung a ‘Stop the Game’ banner at Treaty United's home fixture against Kerry FC at Markets Field on Friday, July 3. The campaign is seeking the cancellation of Ireland's upcoming international fixture against Israel amid the war in Gaza.

Mr Shanahan said the banner was removed during the match and that he was informed three days later that his role as a volunteer with the club had ended. He had been involved with Treaty United since April 2021.

“Probably about 25 minutes before kick-off, I hung up a ‘Stop the Game’ flag by the scoreboard into the ground,” Mr Shanahan told the Irish Examiner. "I hung around for a couple of minutes, and then I went up to the stand, shortly after the game started, I looked over to where the flag was, and it was gone.” 

Mr Shanahan claims he believes his dismissal has to do with the banner. He said that on Monday, July 6, he received a letter informing him of his dismissal, and that his social media access was revoked.

“I was speaking to [Treaty managing director] Ian McMahon, and he told me that because I was a volunteer I wasn't allowed to make political statements. 

"I did inform him that while I'm a volunteer, it is for the academy games that I volunteer and that for the senior games like that Friday and every other Friday, I actually pay into the games with my season ticket,” he said.

Mr Shanahan added: “The managing director Ian McMahon said to me, 'You do know who our owners are, don't you?'. I'm not sure what that has to do with the club's owners, who are an investment group from Canada called Tricorp Pacific Capital.”

Treaty United, however, have denied any link between the banner and the decision.

“Treaty United can state categorically that the mentioned volunteer's involvement with the club did not end for the reasons that have been suggested and any claim to the contrary is incorrect,” a club spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said the decision regarding Mr Shanahan’s involvement with the club was made prior to Friday, July 3.

“As a matter of principle, Treaty United FC treats matters concerning its employees and volunteers as private and confidential. Out of respect for the individual involved, and for our employees, volunteers and wider club community, it would not be appropriate to comment further,” they added.

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The Limerick branch of Solidarity said several supporters were “kicked out of the Treaty United game” for displaying a ‘Stop the Game’ banner.

Solidarity Limerick said on social media: “Treaty United officials cannot be allowed to silence the fans, volunteers, and players. A collective stance is needed — Treaty United has been built by the community, it belongs to everyone in the community. 

"The quieting of free speech and any form of protest against genocide is not acceptable.”