Glentoran FC were disappointed to learn today that the club have been fined £1000 for fan behaviour at Irish Cup semi-final.
The fines relate to two incidents with each incurring a penalty of £500.
1. Inside the first 20 minutes of the game a small beer bottle was thrown into the Crusaders penalty area. This landed close to the referee and a Crusaders player.
2. Following the final whistle a large number of Glentoran supporters entered the field of play by climbing over the wall behind the goals at the Hospital End.
The throwing of missiles and entering the field of play are both criminal offences under current legislation and we would remind supporters that should anyone commit an offence at the Irish Cup final on 2nd May then the club may face further financial penalties. The national stadium has an excellent CCTV system so individuals committing offences and identified by the PSNI may also face prosecution.
The club have been working extremely hard over the past number of years to improve the financial position and it is extremely disappointing that the actions of a few can lead to us effectively losing £1000. Contrast this with the countless hours of effort put in by numerous volunteers at Glentoran FC to raise funds.