DROGHEDA UNITED HAVE been hit with record sanctions including a €15,000 fine and four-match supporter ban for away games following their controversial Louth derby clash with Dundalk last Friday.
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.
The FAI confirmed on Thursday evening that an independent disciplinary committee has imposed a €15,000 fine on Drogheda United, as well as a ban on the club’s 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.
A joint statement from the League of Ireland and the FAI described the penalties as “record sanctions”.
These significant sanctions have been deemed necessary by the Independent Disciplinary Committee considering the magnitude of the incident.
“While 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.”
In a separate joint-statement this evening, the League of Ireland and the FAI say they are “committed to bolstering our efforts to combat the challenge that pyrotechnics presents at our stadia.”
That commitment includes “mandatory club licensing requirements” from the 2027 League of Ireland Season onwards “for adequate CCTV which will assist with the identification of any persons found to be engaging in the illegal use of pyrotechnics.”
There will also be “enhanced detection measures at key entry points to our stadiums such as the use of pyrotechnic detection dogs,” and “refusal of entry and / or ejection from the stadium if a person is engaging in this activity followed by a stadium ban.”
The Sports Minister Patrick O’Donovan, who attended the game, has also released a statement this evening in which he welcomes “the outcome of the FAI’s independent disciplinary committee unit (DCU).”
“I commend the FAI and the LOI for acting swiftly and decisively and I appreciate them taking this matter so seriously.
“I have instructed full, normal engagement resume between Department and FAI together with League on foot of this significant disciplinary action.”
Earlier this week, the Minister slammed the incident, describing the scenes as “gougerism and thuggery,” and demanded that the league and the FAI get to grips with “hooliganism” among fans.
Dundalk had only laid a new astroturf surface ahead of this Premier Division season, as well as upgrading their floodlights after benefitting from a €500,000 grant from government.
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Drogheda United hit with ‘record sanctions’ following Louth derby pyrotechnics
DROGHEDA UNITED HAVE been hit with record sanctions including a €15,000 fine and four-match supporter ban for away games following their controversial Louth derby clash with Dundalk last Friday.
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.
The FAI confirmed on Thursday evening that an independent disciplinary committee has imposed a €15,000 fine on Drogheda United, as well as a ban on the club’s 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.
A joint statement from the League of Ireland and the FAI described the penalties as “record sanctions”.
“While 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.”
In a separate joint-statement this evening, the League of Ireland and the FAI say they are “committed to bolstering our efforts to combat the challenge that pyrotechnics presents at our stadia.”
That commitment includes “mandatory club licensing requirements” from the 2027 League of Ireland Season onwards “for adequate CCTV which will assist with the identification of any persons found to be engaging in the illegal use of pyrotechnics.”
There will also be “enhanced detection measures at key entry points to our stadiums such as the use of pyrotechnic detection dogs,” and “refusal of entry and / or ejection from the stadium if a person is engaging in this activity followed by a stadium ban.”
The Sports Minister Patrick O’Donovan, who attended the game, has also released a statement this evening in which he welcomes “the outcome of the FAI’s independent disciplinary committee unit (DCU).”
“I commend the FAI and the LOI for acting swiftly and decisively and I appreciate them taking this matter so seriously.
“I have instructed full, normal engagement resume between Department and FAI together with League on foot of this significant disciplinary action.”
Earlier this week, the Minister slammed the incident, describing the scenes as “gougerism and thuggery,” and demanded that the league and the FAI get to grips with “hooliganism” among fans.
Dundalk had only laid a new astroturf surface ahead of this Premier Division season, as well as upgrading their floodlights after benefitting from a €500,000 grant from government.
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Drogheda United Dundalk League of Ireland LOI Oriel Park Premier Division Punishment Soccer