League of Ireland club accused of expelling more supporters due to 'Stop the Games' banners

Despite public pressure, the FAI confirmed in June that Ireland's home game in the Uefa Nations League against Israel would not be played here and would be moved behind closed doors to Serbia on Sunday,  October 4. The away fixture against Israel takes place the week before in Hungary. File picture

Limerick League of Ireland club Treaty United have again been accused of expelling supporters during matches for displaying ‘Stop the Games’ banners, protesting against Ireland going ahead with Uefa Nations League fixtures against Israel.

Treaty United asked supporters to leave Market Fields during their Munster derby against Cork City on Friday night.

It is understood stewards attempted to remove supporters' banners before gardaí attended the scene, leading to the protesters agreeing “to leave peacefully”.

Solidarity Limerick said one supporter who attended the game and witnessed the interaction explained: “Just before the half-time whistle, fans unfurled two banners that read 'Stop the Games' in protest of the upcoming Ireland v Israel game. 

"Within seconds, a lot of security personnel descended on them. One security guard grabbed their smaller banner and tried to rip it from their hands. He failed and then went to the other group holding the larger banner and tried to do the same to them. 

"Gardaí arrived, and it looked like the fans agreed to leave, chanting 'Free Palestine'."

According to Solidary Limerick, this incident is part of a “wider trend” from Treaty United, where “club management has cracked down on supporters displaying solidarity with Palestine”.

Despite public pressure amid the ongoing war in Gaza, the FAI confirmed in June that Ireland's home game in the Uefa Nations League against Israel would not be played here and would be moved behind closed doors to Serbia on Sunday,  October 4. The away fixture against Israel takes place the week before in Hungary.

“The Palestinian FA opposes Israel's participation in football tournaments due to the Israel FA's recognition of teams in occupied Palestinian territories, a breach of Fifa's own statutes,” said Solidarity Limerick.

Volunteer claimed he was dismissed by club

A Treaty United volunteer who displayed a banner supporting a campaign to halt Ireland match with Israel previously told the Irish Examiner he was later dismissed by the club — a claim Treaty United have 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. 

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. On Monday, July 6, he received a letter informing him of his dismissal, and that his social media access was revoked.

Treaty United 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 previously told the Irish Examiner.

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

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

A spokesperson for Treaty United said their policy on banners is clearly positioned on the homepage of their website

Gardaí have been contacted for comment.