Media claims FAI brand Palestinian flag as "racist"

**gufc2000** · 08/04/2009, 3:05 PM

Dundalk FC have been reported and will face a fine over the display of a Palestinian flag by their supporters during last weekend's 3-1 win at Sligo Rovers, after the FAI branded the flag as "racist". However, last night, the Louth club challenged the FAI, stating they are treating the matter "very seriously" and "considering making an official complaint".

Offending banner
"Our fans were very well behaved and did themselves proud [in Sligo]," club secretary Kevin Holland wrote in the Dundalk FC Magazine for the visit of Shamrock Rovers to Oriel Park on Tuesday night. "But during the game the FAI match delegate summoned our Chairman and informed him that he would be reporting Dundalk FC for the display of a racist banner. What was the offending banner? The Dundalk flag that we have seen in Oriel Park for many, many years that features a Palestinian flag. Now, I do not profess to be an expert in these matters - but how can a flag that features an internationally recognised flag be deemed as racist?

Official complaint
"The Palestinian flag is flying outside the United Nations building in New York," he added. "Also, members of the Gardai were standing in front of the flag during the game and didn't have any problem with it. This accusation may be ridiculous but I am treating it very seriously. The Board of Dundalk will be considering making an official complaint against the FAI over this incident. Darren Mansaram was the victim of racist abuse against Drogheda and there was also some racist abuse chanted his way by Sligo fans near where I was sitting in Sligo. To equate a flag to these incidents is disgusting and downright offensive."

http://www.extratime.ie/newsdesk/articles/1625

Any Lilywhites care to shed light on this?

**sligoman** · 08/04/2009, 3:10 PM

Originally Posted by gufc2000

"Our fans were very well behaved and did themselves proud [in Sligo]," club secretary Kevin Holland wrote in the Dundalk FC Magazine

Jumping on the pitch, drinking in the stands, shouting abuse at stewards. And that's all I noticed.

I know Dundalk aren't the only crowd who do this, but yer man shouldn't be saying that they did themselves proud. As for the flag, it's not racist. It's stupid being put up in any LOI ground but how the feck is it racist?

**Dodge** · 08/04/2009, 3:11 PM

its not rascist but it has no place in Irish football grounds. Either do israeli flags before anyone starts

**DaveyCakes** · 08/04/2009, 3:14 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

its not rascist but it has no place in Irish football grounds. Either do israeli flags before anyone starts

I totally agree

**dannydundalk** · 08/04/2009, 3:14 PM

we have had this in oriel this years
it aint racist fr having a palestian flag

**Mr A** · 08/04/2009, 3:19 PM

Noticed the Palestinian and Basque flags at the Dundalk-Bohs game- WTF is that about?

It certainly isn't racist by the way, but I've no idea why people feel the need to bring these to matches.

Except perhaps because the so called Republican movement(s) tend to align themselves with these groups..........

**celticV3** · 08/04/2009, 3:22 PM

Originally Posted by gufc2000

and there was also some racist abuse chanted his way by Sligo fans near where I was sitting in Sligo.

Can this be expanded on as there was no racist abuse. There was abuse but that was aimed at more than mansaram and when it was at mansaram it was because he was kicking at our players and generally is hated.

**pete** · 08/04/2009, 3:23 PM

Is there a picture of the flag? Why do Dundalk have a Palestinian flag?

**Mad Moose** · 08/04/2009, 3:30 PM

More FAI blundering at that then if thats what an FAI Official actually stated. Can't see this gaining any wind whatsoever but stupid stuff from an FAI official. There is little point in having either a Basque or Palestinian flag at a LoI game or flying in an estate as I remember in Omagh at one stage but they may have had more an affiliation. I don't know.

**Rovers Maniac** · 08/04/2009, 3:33 PM

Dundalk are easily becoming the most disliked club in the league, i have gone to games and Darren Mansarram has been given abuse and gave it right back but to turn around and say it is racist is plain ignorant of that shower of knucle draggers up there in Louth. Chanting? That better not be an official compalint or else i hope Sligo Rovers FC follow up if it is. They would want to catch on to themselves and stop dragging other clubs good names through the mud. Funny there has not been a mention of it till now, i wonder why that is !!!

Edit: I don't care about the flag but i don't see the point in them trying to justify it by talking rubbish about other clubs, esp when there has been nothing else said about any incident that night by either set of fans.

**Jofspring** · 08/04/2009, 3:34 PM

Dundalk had it at matches last year too. Why the big deal about it now all of a sudden??

**The Lilywhites** · 08/04/2009, 3:36 PM

Originally Posted by Jofspring

Dundalk had it at matches last year too. Why the big deal about it now all of a sudden??

Maybe because the FAI don't know the First Division exists.

**citybone** · 08/04/2009, 3:59 PM

Originally Posted by sligoman

Jumping on the pitch, drinking in the stands, shouting abuse at stewards. And that's all I noticed.

I know Dundalk aren't the only crowd who do this, but yer man shouldn't be saying that they did themselves proud. As for the flag, it's not racist. It's stupid being put up in any LOI ground but how the feck is it racist?

its the same colours as cork city, we wave basque flags, Italian flags and Bulgarian flags and i don't see the problem.

**micls** · 08/04/2009, 4:00 PM

1) They clearly dont understand the meaning of the word racist
2) Having this flag at an LOI game seems ridiculous to me
3) But who gives a damn.

**Gaillimh Al** · 08/04/2009, 4:22 PM

update:

http://www.extratime.ie/newsdesk/articles/1625/

**Dodge** · 08/04/2009, 4:37 PM

So extratime got the wrong end of the stick, again...

shoddy journalism, again...

**The Stars** · 08/04/2009, 4:41 PM

Originally Posted by celticV3

Can this be expanded on as there was no racist abuse. There was abuse but that was aimed at more than mansaram and when it was at mansaram it was because he was kicking at our players and generally is hated.

There clearly was racist abuse celticV3, you were standing beside the people who did it so don't deny it just because you know these people

**Schumi** · 08/04/2009, 4:50 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

its not rascist but it has no place in Irish football grounds. Either do israeli flags before anyone starts

Are Cameroon flags OK?

**sligoman** · 08/04/2009, 4:52 PM

Originally Posted by Schumi

Are Cameroon flags OK?

If you have a Cameroon player then it makes sense. Otherwise it wouldn't.

**John83** · 08/04/2009, 4:55 PM

Hang on here. "FAI brands" the flag as racist is not the same as "FAI match delegate brands" the flag as racist. The latter is what happened here. Let's see whether the FAI back him or not before leaping to conclusions.