Derry City FC to issue immediate stadium bans after pitch incursions and roll-out zero tolerance policy at the Brandywell
A number of supporters are to be issued with immediate stadium bans following pitch incursions during Derry City’s clash with Sligo Rovers last Friday.
The club has warned it will be operating a ‘zero tolerance’ policy to such encroachments in future.
It has further cautioned anybody arriving at the Ryan McBride Brandywell with masks will be refused entry though the turnstiles.
In a statement the club said it had carried out a thorough investigation into an incident last Friday and ‘a number of supporters have been identified and will be issued with immediate stadium bans’.
A ‘zero tolerance’ policy to pitch incursions is now being deployed.
“Any supporters who breach that policy will be ejected from the ground and will face an automatic 12-game ban from attending home matches.
“Furthermore, anyone arriving at the turnstiles wearing a mask or with a partial face covering will be denied access to the stadium. That also extends to anyone bringing alcohol into the ground.
“We would also like to make it very clear that abuse of stewards, staff and club volunteers will absolutely not be tolerated,” the club said.
The Board of Directors acknowledged the efforts of ‘the vast majority of fans who created a wonderful atmosphere throughout Friday’s game; spoiled only by the actions of a small faction’.
“We are particularly pleased that supporters respected the policy on flares, however the actions of a small minority could easily have escalated into a much more difficult situation.
“Derry City FC is intent on creating an environment whereby all supporters can attend matches safely and we won’t allow the actions of a few troublemakers to ruin that,” it said.