Limerick 37 issue statement refuting Wallace allegations

The row over last night's postponed Wexford Youths v Limerick 37 eircom League of Ireland First Division clash escalated today following a statement released by Limerick.

The game was postponed due to a row regarding which pitch Limerick would warm up on beforehand, with Wexford manager Mick Wallace saying that Limerick had no intention of fulfilling the fixture.

However, in a statement, Limerick have denied that allegation.

"Limerick 37 would like to make this additional statement regarding the events that took place at Ferrycarrig Park on yesterday evening, Monday, October 6.

"Limerick 37 would like to completely refute the unfounded allegations made by Wexford manager Mick Wallace on Newstalk yesterday evening and repeated on RTE Radio today, when he implied that the club had no intention of fulfilling the fixture upon arrival.

"To suggest that the club would travel the entire way to Wexford with the express desire to not carry out the fixture is completely untrue.

"Such an allegation by a manager of a fellow member of the league is verging on bringing the game into disrepute and the club expect a full retraction at the earliest possible occasion.

"In addition, Limerick 37 would like to confirm that the team arrived in the ground at 6pm, above the requisite 90 minutes before kick-off, and were forced to sit in the changing rooms for over an hour waiting for access to warm up.

"In addition, the referee, Rob Rodgers, confirmed to Limerick 37 that he would not be warming up on the back pitch in question as he deemed the lighting unsafe.

"Limerick 37 changed back in to their team suits at 7.20pm and had boarded the team bus when they were finally given a grudging and unofficial permission by Mick Wallace to go on to the main pitch at 7.25pm.

"At this stage, the team manager had already instructed his players that they were not in a position to fulfil the fixture as they were not in a position to complete their 60-minute warm-up routine that they carry out for each and every game.

"At no stage was any member of Limerick 37 informed officially by the referees or match officials that they were allowed access to the main pitch or that kick-off time could be put be put back to accommodate a full warm-up."

"The matter is now an official FAI matter and the club will be making no further comment."