Apologies

**Erstwhile B�z** · 22/04/2007, 12:36 PM

What's the crack with the allegations about the player, though? Have they disappeared?

**Erstwhile B�z** · 22/04/2007, 12:43 PM

Originally Posted by Midgit

I can't believe some Shams fans would stoop so low.
Although there is nothing in the papers about it today!

Strange that, what with all sports editors being GAA fans who want to kill off Rovers and all. The GAA Mafia whose Stalinist control of the press in this country is an icy and deathly grip on the nads of Irish football has really let itself go...

**GavinZac** · 22/04/2007, 12:56 PM

Originally Posted by Erstwhile B�z

Strange that, what with all sports editors being GAA fans who want to kill off Rovers and all. The GAA Mafia whose Stalinist control of the press in this country is an icy and deathly grip on the nads of Irish football has really let itself go...

News hasn't filtered through. Just wait for the fantastic opinion pieces from "experts" in tomorrows weekly's.

**Erstwhile B�z** · 22/04/2007, 1:27 PM

Originally Posted by GavinZac

News hasn't filtered through. Just wait for the fantastic opinion pieces from "experts" in tomorrows weekly's.

Hehe. I can already hear the sweaty breathing of Tom Humphries as he reads this thread. Hi, Tom.

Of course when the me�in chum(annl�thchleasgael)ars�ide do report whatever the feck happened � we seem to be looking at one or two fans and quite possibly a player � we mustn't lose sight of the bigger picture, that it'll just be because they want to attack Rovers (maybe an Always Ultra got up one of the editors' daughters), and not because it's so scummy as to be newsworthy in itself. Death of Irish football, solidarity, boycott Drogs, boycott newspapers, boycott the act of reading, etc., etc., etc.

**GavinZac** · 22/04/2007, 1:42 PM

Originally Posted by Erstwhile B�z

Of course when the me�in chum(annl�thchleasgael)ars�ide

stop that

do report whatever the feck happened � we seem to be looking at one or two fans and quite possibly a player � we mustn't lose sight of the bigger picture, that it'll just be because they want to attack Rovers (maybe an Always Ultra got up one of the editors' daughters), and not because it's so scummy as to be newsworthy in itself. Death of Irish football, solidarity, boycott Drogs, boycott newspapers, boycott the act of reading, etc., etc., etc.

its a horrible incident, but can you honestly say its worthy of beating shamrock rovers the club with this stick for the foreseeable future? while its about as unsavoury as it gets, its a tiny minority of fans saying something stupid, and the club have apologised for it. if someone identifies the culprits i'm sure they'll be dealt with. unfortunately certain people will latch on to it and start questioning "do we want soccer scum in our neighbourhood" when, biased as you may be, you can see its a much more complex question than that.

**sadloserkid** · 22/04/2007, 4:58 PM

If Rovers don't bend over backwards to uncover every stone regarding this incident they've let themselves down. It's not fair to blame them for the incident itself but now there's an onus on them to find out the circumstances and if there are culprits identified they should have the book thrown at them. For supporters there should be a lifetime ban and if (and again it's an if right now) there's a player involved terminate his contract.

If the story is true it's a pretty despicable act by the individuals involved.

**compo** · 22/04/2007, 7:25 PM

Simple way to deal with this. If ANY player is guilty of what is alleged, TERMINATE HIS CONTRACT. Dismissal for gross misconduct is allowed under employment law.
As for the vermin, it MUST be Rover's last chance. There's been a large scum element infecting their fixtures for many years and all we've heard are excuses and promises; the problem remains. If they don't identify and ban any follower guilty of misconduct, in addition to passing the details on to all other clubs, then other clubs would be justified in banning Rovers fans for the forseeable future.
I don't know what to think of the ordinary well-behaved Rovers fans. They deserve admiration for keeping their club afloat during the crisis times, but if they take no action on this, then they will be seen to be as guilty as the vermin.
Remember; All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.

**Magicme** · 22/04/2007, 9:19 PM

I'm totally in shock reading this. I cant comprehend how any human being could be so vile to someone else, especially someone who has am sure spent the past year and a half tryin to come to terms with one of the most devestating things that can happen in your life.

I dont know what to think. If Shamrock Rovers dont sort this "problem" out fast they will not be welcome anywhere in the country.

**Dyl10** · 22/04/2007, 9:31 PM

Here is the clip from Doolin
http://homepage.eircom.net/~drogvide...s_20042007.avi

Posted by a guy on the Drog MB

**mypost** · 23/04/2007, 1:51 AM

Originally Posted by Bosco

It would be very unfair to ban all fans because of a minority but they've caused trouble everywhere without punishment.

This is what some fans of clubs have being waiting for, a "Rovers" incident.

Given the low attendances, and shaky financial positions of many NL clubs, they're not in a position to enforce bans on travelling support. Should Drogs or any other club attempt it, it should be reciprocated, at reverse fixtures.

The club have publically apologised to the club and player over the abuse, and will deal with the individuals concerned. That should close the issue. There is nothing more to say on it.

**osarusan** · 23/04/2007, 2:01 AM

Originally Posted by mypost

The club have apologised to the club and player over the abuse, and will deal with the individuals concerned. That should close the issue. There is nothing more to say on it.

First of all. the idea of banning all Rovers support is wrong, and gains nothing.

But I disagree that there is nothing more to say on it.........Rovers should be given time to investigate, and they have to show the outside world that they are doing everything they can to sort this out. This does not necessarily mean they must find and ban the supporters/player responsible, as it is possible that even a full investigation could fail to find them. Given the continued claims that it is such a small minority of "fans", and the rest of the Rovers fans are genuine football people who are equally disgusted by this (both of wich I believe), it shouldnt be too difficult to identify those responsible.

So I think we need to wait and see what Rovers find out and what they do, and how they have come to whatever decisions they make. Then we look at those decisions and see whether we think Rovers have acquitted themselves well enough.

I think Rovers should not be judged on what went on the other night, but will be judged on the depth and openness of their reaction to it.

**dancinpants** · 23/04/2007, 3:07 AM

Sick, sick fcuks...

My thoughts are again with Simon Webb.

**Snoop Drog** · 23/04/2007, 6:16 AM

Originally Posted by mypost

This is what some fans of clubs have being waiting for, a "Rovers" incident.

Mate, we don't sit around waiting for Rovers to **** up. But if we did we would never have to wait long.

I don't think an apology is enough. Find out who was involved and ban them.

**Calcio Jack** · 23/04/2007, 7:33 AM

As a member of SRFC I am totally disgusted by what happened on Friday and fully condemn the actions of the so called fans involved. Already we have issued an apology to Simon Webb on our official site and indeed as an individual I'd echo all the sentiments in that apology.

The club has already commenced an internal investigation to ascertain the exact facts of what happened and will deal with the culprits once the facts are established.

What happened will of course be used against the club and I have no doubt that the anti Rovers in Tallaght elements of the media etc will try to get some mileage from this. Thus I am calling on both the Directors, management and indeed all fans of Drogheda to be step forward and be magnaminous towards us. I have no doubt concerning the anger and upset you must be feeling for your colleague but I also have no doubt that you know that this was the actions of a mindless few. You know only too well how much the real fans of Rovers have done to try and secure the future of the club. Thus I call on you to see the woods from the trees and issue a statement condeming the actions of the morons but acknolwedging the bone fides of the management and real fans of Rovers. We're all part of the soccer community and thus I hope you can be big enough to help us rather than let outside elements latch on to this to use it against us.

Finally I'd again reiterate all genuine Rovers fans complete apology to Simon Webb and the family of his late wife.

**Macy** · 23/04/2007, 7:55 AM

It's obviously disgusting abuse, particularly if a player is involved, but this type of behaviour is hardly restricted to Rovers fans - in the last number of seasons we've had Tony O'Dowd abused about his dead brother, people coming to Longford singing abusive songs about John Carthy, people physically attacking linesmen not even having their bans enforced. It's the nature of some football fans the world over (including you're beloved British football to any hacks reading - Munich Songs, Lids fans, Hillsborough, songs about incidents in the North etc)

Rovers have apologised, said they're going to investigate it, and deal with it if/ when they get the evidence. I'm really not sure what else they can do? The apology is more than most clubs would've fookin managed. Just to reiterate, the abuse was totally unacceptable, but Rovers should be given time to investigate it.

**SeanDrog** · 23/04/2007, 8:11 AM

the statement was a very positive and proactive move, this has to be acknowledged but now we need to see action - the crime warrents punishment (in this I mean the scumbags in the crowd not the club) - agree time is needed (as with everything), but it should not and can not be swept under the carpet.

Macy what do you think is a reasonable time period (1 week, 2 perhaps?).

**Macy** · 23/04/2007, 8:43 AM

Probably two weeks to investigate, although if they need more time they should do so. Natural justice would suggest that they'll need some kind of hearing after that for those accused.

**pete** · 23/04/2007, 9:45 AM

Originally Posted by Macy

Rovers have apologised, said they're going to investigate it, and deal with it if/ when they get the evidence. I'm really not sure what else they can do? The apology is more than most clubs would've fookin managed. Just to reiterate, the abuse was totally unacceptable, but Rovers should be given time to investigate it.

I agree. The nature of the LOI with small crowds means that abuse from individual supporters will be heard by players & other supporters. We've probably all seen & heard questionable comments/actions from opposition & home fans over the years so this not just a Rovers issue.

IMO some people are attracted to the LOI because there are small crowds & they can get close to players for this very incident.

**mypost** · 23/04/2007, 9:50 AM

Originally Posted by Snoop Drog

Mate, we don't sit around waiting for Rovers to *** up. But if we did we would never have to wait long.

I don't think an apology is enough. Find out who was involved and ban them.

I'm not condoning any abuse against your player, but by and large, we have cleaned up our act since the takeover. There were only 3 incidents at the end of matches last year, which involved our fans. We were on the receiving end on each occasion. When we are at fault, culprits have been found, and bans handed out. But no matter what we do about it, we'll always be labelled in some people's eyes, and there's not a lot we can do about that.