Committee calls for eircom League code of ethics

The eircom League investigative committee that looked into some serious allegations at matches involving Bohemians, Shelbourne and Shamrock Rovers this season has returns its verdict.

The committee has called for a code of ethics to be implemented while requested that the power of the eircom League disciplinary committee is widened.

It also requested that visiting clubs should supply a sufficent number of stewards for games deemed to carry a greater risk of trouble.

The decisions were made after looking into complaints based around the Bohemians v Shelbourne game last May, the Shamrock Rovers v Bohemians game and the Shelbourne v Shamrock Rovers game last June.

The principal complaints made relating to the Bohemians versus Shelbourne game was that an orchestrated protest relating to Glen Crowe's move from Bohemians to Shelbourne took place.

There were also complaints that Shelbourne manager Pat Fenlon was verbally abused after the game and this was accepted, though other instances of verbal abuse are still being looked into.

The investigative committee cited the major problem being that there is no tunnel into the away dressing room at Dalymount Park despite the room being right beside the Jackie Jameson bar.

The committee has recommended that the Jackie Jameson bar in Dalymount Park be closed until one hour after kick off, though Shelbourne were also criticised for not attending the pre-match security meeting.

At the Shamrock Rovers v Bohemians game, when a pitch invasion after the match caused problems, the investigate committee found that inadaquate stewarding was the problem and has recommended that additional stewarding - supplied by the clubs involved - be used.

However, the committee applauded the co-operation between both clubs.

The main issue to be investigated from the Shelbourne versus Shamrock Rovers was the alleged altercation between Shelbourne CEO Ollie Byrne and Shamrock Rovers' manager Roddy Collins, which is currently being investigated by police.

However, the committee did conclude that banners made by Rovers' supporters and directed at Ollie Byrne (one banner read 'Ireland's biggest hooligan') were offensive and should have been removed.