FINN HARPS have begun a planned review into their match night operations following last night’s game against Derry City at Finn Park.
A couple of times in the first half, flares were lit in the section housing the Derry City supporters with flares thrown onto the pitch.
The Football Association of Ireland take a dim view of flares being used by supporters.
Picture caption: Dave Scully heads home Finn Harps opening goal against Derry City at Finn Park. Picture by Gary Foy, newsandsportfiles
Harps adopted a stop-and-search policy at Finn Park last night, but it is believed that away fans may have passed the flares through the fence between Finn Park and Aldi carpark.
Concerns have also been raised as to how a large chunk of the 1,150 Derry City supporters watched the game from the River End, a section of Finn Park that has been closed off to supporters since 2008.
“A number of supporters in the away end have been identified from photographs and video footage,” a Finn Harps spokesperson said with that information set to be passed on to Derry City FC and the FAI.
“Micad, who help us with match night security, are keen to stress that 99 per cent of the supporters were a pleasure to deal with, but it was only a small minority that were the exception.
“We will have a review, as intended. The whole thing was a very difficult challenge for us with it being the first game and with a huge away support.”
Harps supporters have reacted angrily after flags, which were hung on the fence at the River End, were damaged, including a crowd cover depicting a Finn Harps jersey that has been used since 1999.
The Harps spokesperson said there was ‘no confirmation’ that some supporters gained admission using forged tickets, but the suggestion is being investigated by the club.
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