{"id":319630,"date":"2026-02-27T06:32:08","date_gmt":"2026-02-27T06:32:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/319630\/"},"modified":"2026-02-27T06:32:08","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T06:32:08","slug":"drogheda-united-hit-with-record-sanctions-following-louth-derby-pyrotechnics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/319630\/","title":{"rendered":"Drogheda United hit with \u2018record sanctions\u2019 following Louth derby pyrotechnics"},"content":{"rendered":"

DROGHEDA UNITED HAVE been hit with record sanctions<\/a> including a \u20ac15,000 fine and four-match supporter ban for away games following their controversial\u00a0Louth derby clash with Dundalk last Friday.<\/p>\n

A number of flares were thrown from the away section which left areas of the Oriel Park pitch burned and in need of repair, while a 12-year-old boy also sustained injuries.<\/p>\n

The FAI confirmed on Thursday evening that an independent disciplinary committee has imposed a\u00a0\u20ac15,000 fine on Drogheda United, as well as a ban on the club\u2019s supporters attending their next four away fixtures, and a ban on their supporters attending all fixtures at Oriel Park for the remainder of the 2026 season.<\/p>\n

Statement on Dundalk FC v Drogheda United FC at Oriel Park.https:\/\/t.co\/r0lWIcsOCU<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/LmKNR38Psr<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) February 26, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

A joint statement from the League of Ireland and the FAI described the penalties as \u201crecord sanctions\u201d.\n<\/p>\n

These significant sanctions have been deemed necessary by the Independent Disciplinary Committee considering the magnitude of the incident.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile this incident and the use of pyrotechnics are carried out by a minority of supporters, these unacceptable events cannot be repeated in future and have no place in the League of Ireland.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

League of Ireland and FAI statement on pyrotechnics.https:\/\/t.co\/YUhvQxfBc4<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/n5SvVO7l9Y<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) February 26, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

In a separate joint-statement<\/a> this evening, the League of Ireland and the FAI say they are \u201ccommitted to bolstering our efforts to combat the challenge that pyrotechnics presents at our stadia.\u201d<\/p>\n

That commitment includes \u201cmandatory club licensing requirements\u201d from the 2027 League of Ireland Season onwards \u201cfor adequate CCTV which will assist with the identification of any persons found to be engaging in the illegal use of pyrotechnics.\u201d<\/p>\n

There will also be \u201cenhanced detection measures at key entry points to our stadiums such as the use of pyrotechnic detection dogs,\u201d and \u201crefusal of entry and \/ or ejection from the stadium if a person is engaging in this activity followed by a stadium ban.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Sports Minister Patrick O\u2019Donovan, who attended the game, has also released a statement this evening in which he welcomes \u201cthe outcome of the FAI\u2019s independent disciplinary committee unit (DCU).\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI commend the FAI and the LOI for acting swiftly and decisively and I appreciate them taking this matter so seriously.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have instructed full, normal engagement resume between Department and FAI together with League on foot of this significant disciplinary action.\u201d<\/p>\n

Earlier this week, the Minister slammed the incident, describing the scenes as\u00a0\u201cgougerism and thuggery,\u201d<\/a>\u00a0and demanded\u00a0that the league and the FAI get to grips with \u201chooliganism\u201d among fans.<\/p>\n

Dundalk had only laid a new astroturf surface ahead of this Premier Division season, as well as upgrading their floodlights after benefitting from a \u20ac500,000 grant from government.<\/p>\n