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Donall Farmer/INPHO

Dundalk fined €18k by UEFA for displaying Palestinian flag

The incident took place during last month’s Europa League qualifier against Hajduk Split.

Updated at 18.00

DUNDALK HAVE BEEN hit with a significant fine by UEFA for the displaying of a Palestine flag during a recent Europa League match.

The Lilywhites played Croatian club Hajduk Split in a two-legged second round qualifier last month — losing out 3-2 on aggregate.

In a statement released this afternoon, the club confirmed this afternoon that the European football governing body has charged the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division leaders with a €18,000 fine.

“Dundalk FC can confirm that the club has been charged by the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Committee,” the statement reads. 

“These charges relate to Article 16 (2) of the Disciplinary Rules (relating to flags that have been deemed by UEFA to be inappropriate) and Article 45 UEFA Stadium Infrastructure (relating to the prohibition of standing supporters).

The total fine is €18,000 for these charges.

“Dundalk FC have requested further information from UEFA on these charges before beginning any appeals process.

“Dundalk FC will be making no further comment on this issue until it is fully resolved.”

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    Mute Butter bean
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 2:21 PM

    What an absolute disgrace!
    Has uefa become a far right political party or did I miss something!?

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    Mute Donal Costello
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 2:25 PM

    If this happened at Old Trafford there wouldnt even be a fine

    Yet again one rule for the big, another for the small…

    In fact, havent there been fines for racist slogans that are smaller than this??

    Absolute joke

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    Mute Paul O Mahony
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 2:28 PM

    There was hundreds of em at the All Ireland semi final last week. Disgraceful from UEFA

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    Mute Banga Ncube
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 2:48 PM

    I would say that you are missing something – a brain.

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    Mute thetruth
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 3:31 PM

    Don’t feed the troll^^^^^^^^

    77
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    Mute gerbreen
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 3:42 PM

    but it didn’t happen at OT. The rules are the rules.
    Sure Dundalk are swimming in cash – no worries for them

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    Mute The Green Monkey
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 4:03 PM

    Anyway to donate a couple of euro to Dundalk………

    70
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    Mute Tim Delaney
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 4:03 PM

    UEFA have clear rules about political displays, racism and homophobia. The fans who unfurled the flag got their tickets from Dundalk and have let the club down by doing this.

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    Mute Tim Delaney
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 4:03 PM

    GAA is not UEFA.

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    Mute Mr Phil Officer
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 5:06 PM

    Hypothetically, what if the fan was Palestinian and was waving his own countries flag?. Also 18 grand is the higher end for a club of Dundalk’ stature in the game. FIFA has been grabbing all the headlines recently but that UEFA are as equally corrupt and their both a scourge on the game. Cheating, racism, diving, corruption have all flourished under their watch, Dunphy’ right when he says the game has no ethics or morals. If the likes of Barcelona can buy a banned player while under embargo and play him in a friendly, what chance have the small clubs got when the deck is stacked like that. If I was in charge of Dundalk I wouldn’t give them a penny on principal and I would take what they throw at me on the chin and maybe show them up for the beast that they are at the same time, f*ck them, give them nothing, the people of Dundalk will support the club through the storm that comes.

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    Mute gerbreen
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 6:35 PM

    UEFA will just deduct from Dundalk’s prize money thought. It does seem a bit steep I agree,

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    Mute Arron Hunt
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 8:51 PM

    But only enforce it when it suits them, & flagrantly contravene said rules when it suits them for a more palatable establishment political cause.

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    Mute Patrick Savage
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 9:47 PM

    Thank god

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    Mute Paul O Mahony
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 10:45 PM

    No the GAA is not UEFA. Thank god they aren’t. How can waving any countries national flag end up with a club getting a fine ?

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    Mute patrick keogan
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 11:34 PM

    The fine should reflect the assets of the club(if a fine is appropriate)
    18k for a league of Ireland club is so disproportionate as to be laughable-at that rate premiership clubs should pay millions-is there a brain in FIFA ?

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    Mute Cosmo Kramer
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 2:33 PM

    Palestinian flags regularly get confiscated off Celtic Fans in Scotland.. Apparently it’s a political statement which is against UEFA/FIFA rules.. However I do recall a minutes silence been held at some Football matches when Nelson Mandela died..

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    Mute Glen Hoddle
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 2:35 PM

    What has Mandela got to do with this?!

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    Mute Cosmo Kramer
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 2:43 PM

    Because banning supporters displaying a Palestinian flag because it’s bringing Politics into Football but allowing a minutes silence for a Political leader is a bit hypocritical is it not?

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    Mute Glen Hoddle
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 3:07 PM

    Kramer. Mandela was President of South Africa!!

    Why not have a minutes silence?

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    Mute Gary Guilfoyle
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 3:07 PM

    But nothing said about Ireland flags at Celtic park. Union Jacks at Park head.

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    Mute Glen Hoddle
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 3:20 PM

    Why should anything be said? There’s no war.

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    Mute Cosmo Kramer
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 3:31 PM

    Jasus Glen your not with it at all are you.. UEFA sanctioning a minutes silence for a Political leader is bringing politics into sport.

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    Mute Willie Holmes
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 3:36 PM

    Mandela was also a deemed “terrorist ” by The Brits and the USA and the weak ” Weak West ”
    I say well done to the people who stood up for Gaza and there should be a collection to help them pay any ridiculous fine. I for one am willing to do so

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    Mute Glen Hoddle
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 3:42 PM

    you’re *

    No its not Kramer. Its just a gesture – usually on the death of the home duly elected (ex) President or PM.

    Even ex-players get it……

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    Mute Pat Mustard
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 3:44 PM

    Why haven’t Tottenham being fined over and over again, there are Israeli flags on show at every game, Dundalk need to get a good legal team although finances might mean otherwise. They can point out all the occasions that Israeli flags as well as Union Jacks and Stars n Stripes have been on show when they were at war. When the UK and the US were at war in Iraq and Afghanistan I often remember their flags on show at football flags, as well as the French flag when they were bombing Libya. There are hundreds if not thousands of cases that Dundalk can point to where countries were at war and their flags were on show at stadiums and the clubs were not fined.

    If someone started a fund for a top legal team I would gladly contribute to it. These double standards and hypocrisy by UEFA are disgusting and a stand needs to be made.

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    Mute Ignoreland
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 4:07 PM

    Flying the flag of a country that is a member of FIFA is apparently a breach of UEFA/FIFA regulations? What a joke. http://www.fifa.com/associations/association=ple/

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    Mute Tim Delaney
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 4:10 PM

    I have been to Tottenham many times and have never seen an Israeli flag there

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    Mute Ignoreland
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 4:12 PM

    Sorry, Pat, but Tottenham do not fly Israeli flags. Yes, they chant ‘Yid Army’ but that is not out of solidarity with Israel. That is due to their historically jewish (not Israeli) fanbase from North London and the anti-semetic abuse they would get from some fans like Arsenal who would hiss to mimic gas chambers. You see more Irish tricolours at White Hart Lane than you do Israeli flags.

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    Mute Scipio
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 4:44 PM

    While I don’t agree with this decision by UEFA, they’re probably fearful of a repeat of the recent actions by an anti-Jewish mob who decided to show their ‘solidarity’ with the Palestinians by invading the pitch at a match in Austria involving Macabi Haifa and proceeded to randonmly attack the players.

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    Mute Pat Mustard
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 4:49 PM
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    Mute Stephen Duffy
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 5:56 PM

    Well Tim I’ve never been to White Hart Lane in my life, but I’ve seen many Israeli flags there.

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    Mute gerbreen
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 6:37 PM

    Some eyesight you have so Stephen.

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    Mute John O Connor
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 6:42 PM

    The fact that UEFA made it compulsory meant that UEFA got involved in politics hence the double standards

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    Mute Daniel Dunne
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 7:04 PM

    UEFA warned Spurs that chanting ” yid army” would be considered anti Semitic and they could be punished accordingly.

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    Mute Martin Golden
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    Aug 24th 2014, 2:31 PM

    Clearly Glen Hoddle you missed the very obvious point in that UEFA supports having a minutes silence for the death of a political representative (and rightly so in this case!) but they express hypocrisy when it comes to a fan having a flag of a country flown by a fan that is currently being persecuted in a similar manner to how Nelson Mandela’s people were and that’s what he stood up against.

    So tell me, when Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC is in the European competitions are they prevented from displaying the Israeli political flag!?

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    Mute Martin Golden
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    Aug 24th 2014, 2:36 PM

    There is no war Mr. Hoddle!?

    I guess you are correct in one sense of the word, as it’s called genocide! Yes, war or not the murdering of innocent Palestinians (men, women and children!) by Israel is sick and I’m sure the flag flown by the Dundalk fan was for that purpose!

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    Mute rpmc
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    Aug 25th 2014, 12:07 AM

    I’ve seen Israeli flags at White Hart Lane on many occasions on TV-covered matches. This is a precedent that should be harnessed by Dundalk as suggested, in challenging this biased fine by UEFA.

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    Mute Billie Hetfield
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 2:33 PM

    Ajax routinely fly the Israeli flag. They must be due millions worth of fines in that case. Pathetic UEFA.

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    Mute Scipio
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 4:47 PM

    Ajax fly the star of David. They are a Jewish club. Many of their fans were shipped off to the death camps in Poland.

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    Mute SeekingUniverslTruth
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 2:23 PM

    If it was an israeli flag dundalk would have been awarded €1 milion

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    Mute Banga Ncube
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 2:49 PM

    Please lidt all clubs that have been awarded €1 million for displaying an Israeli flag. This is fascinating.

    41
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    Mute Banga Ncube
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 2:53 PM

    ‘Lidt’ should read ‘list’.

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    Mute Cliff Walker
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 3:19 PM

    Feck sake It’s a joke banga to point out the biased rules of UEFA

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    Mute Tim Delaney
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 4:06 PM

    UEFA rules are not biased. No political displays are permitted. Just because you sympathise with the cause in question, this is not a reason to accuse UEFA of bias.

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    Mute Graham Kavanagh
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 4:22 PM

    Both Celtic and Ajax got fines last year I believe. Leave politics outside the stadium, simple. People go to watch a game, support the club, not for demonstrations.

    35
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    Mute Stephen O'Riordan
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 6:29 PM

    Maybe teams from the north should be fined for displaying the union fleg or the tricolour, neither of which are the flag of their home association? They wouldn’t be making some kind of political statement now would they?

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    Mute Graham Kavanagh
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 6:32 PM

    Smh….. I give up….. I will go to a game in Lucan, waving a Cherry Orchard jersey….. Fine me….

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    Mute Cornelius Talmadge
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 10:51 PM

    Celtic fans had tricolours all over their end in Slovenia last week – are they going to be fined too? This is utterly ridiculous.

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    Mute Jack Murphy
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 2:32 PM

    Every LOI fan should be waving a Palestinian flag next Friday night. Not acceptable

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    Mute Banga Ncube
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 2:51 PM

    Do you think that the LOI has only one fan?

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    Mute Mr Phil Officer
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 5:09 PM

    Good idea Jack.

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    Mute Alan Caldwell
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 2:22 PM

    The irish tricolour is in grounds all over the world FFS these buricrats need to get a life, sad sad people.

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    Mute Keith Hand
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 2:51 PM

    All the red thumbs against the comments against the fine but barely a comment in favour hmm..

    Anyway, Ajax and Spurs regularly fly Israeli flags – no fine, surprise surprise. Celtic have flew Palestine flags recently – no fine. Irish flags flow throughout Britain – no fine. Racist chants – usually no fine or miniscule. Cork City apparently have an ETA flag, cork gaa fans fly confederate fans (all for decoration and colour) yet no fine.

    Selective eyesight from the authorities. UEFa don’t get to dictate what is political or not. See no problem with flying a flag to show solidarity with the thousands of innocent civilians massacred. That’s just me though.

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    Mute Orange Order Loyal
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 3:29 PM

    A section of cork city fans are known to brandish a confederate flag to “get at black fans”..

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    Mute Ricky Spanish
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 3:04 PM

    Surely they were just part of the Palestinian branch of the Dundalk supporters club.

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    Mute Shauna Mooney (ward)
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 2:24 PM

    What a joke… I hope they refuse to pay and make a stand. That is just shocking..

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    Mute L Connors
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 3:08 PM

    No it’s not. If they want to make a statement about a country at war they can do it at a protest. It has no place in sport. Sport is to bring people together not divide them.

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    Mute Steve O'Brien
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 2:21 PM

    That’s ridiculous!

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    Mute Sean Manley
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 2:25 PM

    I wonder would a fine have been forthcoming for unfurling an Israeli flag.

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    Mute L Connors
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 2:41 PM

    No need to wonder. Yes it would have.

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    Mute Peter Pan
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 5:52 PM

    How do you explain the numerous Irish flags at old Trafford and Anfield then?

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    Mute Aodhan Fogarty
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 9:38 PM

    They would have a footballing themed slogan on it!! It’s not deemed as a political message

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    Mute oisin
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 2:25 PM

    That’s an absolute disgrace of a decision, it’s a national flag by that logic a lot of flags should be banned from display in grounds which they clearly are not.
    Dundalk are not the only club to display the flags during recent European games
    The gaza City Dundalk supports club will not be happy

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    Mute Pat Lennon
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 2:21 PM

    Absolute nonsense.

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    Mute stephen kavanagh
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 2:28 PM

    They should appeal this, disgraceful. The idea that such an outlandishly commercial sport can somehow insulate itself from world affairs is ridiculous

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    Mute Phil Moran
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 3:25 PM

    Could understand if it was a Hamas flag but the flag of a country is a ridiculous thing to get fined for. Shame on UEFA.

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    Mute Liam is ainm dumb
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 2:30 PM

    How many Israeli flags were there at the FIFA World Cup?! What a farce..

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    Mute Richard Rodgers
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 2:22 PM

    If the Dundalk fans want to involve themselves in politics then take it outside the stadium. Now their Clubs finances have been hit hard for their piece of stupidity.

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    Mute Peter Pan
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 2:50 PM

    Surprise surprise, a contrarian point of view from good old Richard.

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    Mute Sean Crow
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 3:09 PM

    One of Modai’s Pembroke Road workers Rodgers has arrived !

    The rest of the baby slaughter brigade will along soon !

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    Mute The Green Monkey
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 4:05 PM

    But it’s ok to wear a poppy on a jersey???

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    Mute Cornelius Talmadge
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 10:50 PM

    It’s not just ok, it’s sometimes compulsory!

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    Mute SpliffDude
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    Aug 24th 2014, 5:27 PM

    Baby slaughter? Oh you mean Hamas who use children as shields? Stop reading & listening to western biased media.

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    Mute Paul Circle
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    Aug 24th 2014, 5:42 PM

    Yea stupid civilised people”Stop reading & listening to western biased media.” !!!

    Anybody wants any info about baby slaughter or ribbing land or illegal settling or indeed anything should ring the israeli terrorist ambassador on Pembroke Road or contact the terrorist idf directly because these people know everything about everything and if they don’t ten they will make it up for you.

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    Mute Lar Cooney
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 2:46 PM

    Politics is played front and centre in all these organisations. The Olympics is the same. If anyone says sport has no place for politics people would really want to wise up. Major sporting associations are just as powerful as governments. We see it all the time when it comes to staging events.
    Sport is being destroyed by money and politics.

    People who pay to watch a game can wear whatever god damn colours they want. The club will send a stronger message by refusing to pay it..

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    Mute Keith Hand
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 2:53 PM

    Great point. Sport and politics intrinsically linked.

    I’d like to see people tell me that the World Cup bidding process or actual tournament wasn’t political. Also, didn’t uefa intervene in the whole Crimea/Russia/Ukraine teams and where they’ll play?

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    Mute L Connors
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 3:13 PM

    Uefa are intervening in that because the teams are trying to make a political statement by not playing in the country they are in. Fair enough really.

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    Mute Tim Delaney
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 4:13 PM

    The point is that UEFA has a set of rules about this, like them or not. Dundalk fans broke the rules, so their club gets fined. If they didn’t every game would be hijacked for protests of one kind or another simply because they are televised.

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    Mute Ivon Itchie Saq
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 2:38 PM

    How does Celtic and rangers manage with all the fines they get

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    Mute john stewart
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 2:54 PM

    Fines are only for UEFA matches

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    Mute Nosmo King
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 3:54 PM

    U.V.F & I.R.A bank robberies, Ivon ,lol !

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    Mute Cornelius Talmadge
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    Aug 24th 2014, 12:21 AM

    Celtic fans routinely bring tricolours to European matches too. As I said above, there were tricolours all over the Celtic end in Slovenia last week.

    Football fans, clubs and associations often engage in overtly political acts, without issue. For example, the UK associations routinely require all clubs to wear poppies in November. Rangers have on numerous occasions had “war heroes” paraded on the pitch before games.

    So what exactly is the rule? Is there a ban on national flags? Clearly not. Is there a ban on national flags of countries other than the home country of the club? Clearly not. Is there a ban on national flags of countries that are at war? Clearly not. Is there a ban on national flags that have been used by “terrorist” groups? Clearly not. Is there a ban on all political symbolism? Clearly not.

    So basically, it seems there is a ban on flags that have political connotations that UEFA doesn’t like. This is not UEFA trying to keep politics out of football, this is UEFA actively getting involved in politics. It’s a disgrace.

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    Mute gerbreen
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    Aug 24th 2014, 9:17 AM

    Celtic soon to be only team to knocked out of Europe three times in a season … for the second time.

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    Mute John McCole
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    Aug 24th 2014, 9:48 AM

    Gerbreen ,have a look in your crystal ball and tell me how the weather will be next weekend for the Donegal game.

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    Mute Glen Hoddle
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 2:28 PM

    Its not nonsense. If football supporters are allowed to display flags – in support of a country at war, it could cause turmoil.

    The laws are clear.

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    Mute Paul Heffernan
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 2:39 PM

    So would the display of an American flag…a country at war in a number of fronts…attracted the same fine. I very much doubt it. Double standards in display once again

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    Mute Pat Lennon
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 2:43 PM

    Sorry Glen Hoddle I must of missed the story that said the palestinian kids had tanks. War my arse

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    Mute L Connors
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 3:11 PM

    Pat, I’m pretty sure both sides would say they are at war.

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    Mute Peter Pan
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 5:54 PM

    Do you have a point of view on this or are you just here to correct people to make your self sound and feel clever?

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    Mute Cornelius Talmadge
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    Aug 24th 2014, 12:10 AM

    What exactly do the laws say Glen?

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    Mute Paul Circle
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    Aug 24th 2014, 5:45 PM

    isreal isn’t at war – it’s committing genocide on unarmed civilians just like ISIS.

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    Mute John Dixon
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 5:18 PM

    Barcelona FC – would their flag and anthem be regarded as political ??

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    Mute Shane Mcguirk
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 3:47 PM

    We all have the right to free expression wether it be political or not the club should refuse to pay that ridiculous fine. Apparently it was a French official who happened to be Jewish that took offence to the DFC fans showing support for the slaughtered palistinian people.

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    Mute Aodhan Fogarty
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 9:40 PM

    We have a right to watch sports without other ppls political views waved in out faces!!!

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    Mute Shane Mcguirk
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 10:54 PM

    Catch a grip you clown..

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    Mute glenoir
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 2:41 PM

    Absoulute rubbish

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    Mute Paul Parsons
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 2:26 PM

    If I could do that at mass and get the church fined I’d be well chuffed

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    Mute Michael Kielty
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 9:09 PM

    STOP PRESS

    UEFA fine Bethlehem FC for allowing fans wave the Dundalk town coat of arms. UEFA consider any anti~Crowellian elements as likely to inflame tensions and may target the Cromwellian enclave of Dunleer (west] and the local community.

    MORE TO FOLLOw

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    Mute Martin Bishop
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 2:33 PM

    Its important that politics is kept out of football and GAA, it has no place in a Dundalk game in fairness.

    There is a time and a place to start this political/war stuff and during sporting events is not one of them

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    Mute Tom Sheridan
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 2:52 PM

    If the same rules applied in the GAA, perhaps that would put a stop to the “John 3:7″ and such things we are subjected to?

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    Mute Inntalitarian
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 3:06 PM

    Tell that to Jesse Owens

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    Mute John Mullen
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 7:09 PM

    Yet Israel at National and Club level participate in European competition and FIFA World Cup qualification. In the first place, Israel is not in Europe and should therefore not be involved in European football. They like Apartheid South Africa should have to play in their own geographical area, where, like Apartheid South African was in it’s day, they are pariahs. Secondly, Israeli supporters therefore can display their banner of conquest occupation and subjugation at UEFA events. Seems a bit one sided.

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    Mute Donal O'Brien
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 8:21 PM

    There are a number of countries that play outside their continent in world football, Australia play in the Asian group, Surinam, Guyana, and French Guiana all in South America play in the North American Central America and Caribbean group and Russia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan Turkey etc would be mainly classed as being in Asia, but play in the Uefa competitions.

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    Mute Mary Kavanagh
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    Aug 24th 2014, 3:28 AM

    Half of Turkey is in Europe, so UEFA can hardly let the European half compete and exclude the Asian half.

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    Mute thetruth
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 3:33 PM

    Its amazing. On every controversial story you can be guaranteed the sane idiot trolls show up

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    Mute Gary Bissett
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 9:44 PM

    I support Celtic and celtic fans regularly fly palestinian flags and always will, what’s the difference? People all over the world support Palestine… dundalk please complain

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    Mute Keith Mills
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 3:16 PM

    Good decision by UEFA. The Palestinian flag (which is associated with Hamas terrorism) has no place in a European football ground. We all know the kind of braindead low lifes that bring this flag into football stadiums. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2703713/Maccabi-Haifa-s-friendly-Lille-stopped-early-pro-Palestinian-protesters-storm-pitch-ATTACK-players.html

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    Mute Ricky Spanish
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 3:18 PM

    But bringing the Irish tricolour (which is associated with IRA terrorism) is perfectly fine is it.

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    Mute the flying picket
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 2:59 PM

    Proper order what had the palestinian/hamas flag got to do with the game ! Should have been fined 50 grand @

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    Mute Ricky Spanish
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 3:08 PM

    People fly all sorts of flags at sporting events. Are you going to fine everyone???

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    Mute Seamus Murphy
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 11:30 PM

    Who said anything about a Hamas flag? Same old shit stirring tactic used by Israeli apologist war mongers since the start of the Gaza conflict. Turn support for the Palestinians into support for Hamas

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    Mute Ablitive
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 3:23 PM

    What is stopping a group of Zi0nist attending a football match waving Palestinian flags in order to draw attention to this breach of rules. … False Flag.

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    Mute gerbreen
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 3:36 PM

    1500 of them would cover the fine – exactly what we need to get bums on seats at LoI games,

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    Mute Michael Eden
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 8:01 PM

    Have to agree with you John. Israel doesn’t belong in Europe.

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    Mute John Deane
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 2:52 PM

    Some of you people on here saying the fine was unfair are clueless. UEFA dont allow Politicial banners.

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    Mute Keith Hand
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 2:55 PM

    For arguments sake, how can you prove the flag of a FIFA recognised football nation is a political banner?

    What if they were to defend it as a humanitarian show of solidarity?

    Is a tricolour at Celtic games a political banner? Is Ajax displaying Israeli flags a political banner?

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    Mute Ricky Spanish
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 3:06 PM

    Eh it’s a flag not a political banner.

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    Mute Gerry O'reilly
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 3:50 PM

    The fai should pay the fine, it is a small cost for them to have to have a team from their league in Europe

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    Mute Mr Phil Officer
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 5:15 PM

    F*ck them, give them nothing.

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    Mute SpliffDude
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 4:58 PM

    Pathetic Dundalk supporters. Supporting evil. Next they will by waving Islamic State flags the beauts!

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    Mute D H
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    Aug 24th 2014, 12:41 AM

    How is a palestinian flag evil? Are you saying the palestinian peopleare all evil? What a bigotted ©unt you are

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    Mute SpliffDude
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    Aug 24th 2014, 5:20 PM

    Hamas are evil. I bet you think Isreal is evil. What a bigoted ©unt you are

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    Mute Paul Circle
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    Aug 24th 2014, 5:47 PM

    israel is probably the most evil terrorist state on the face of the planet.

    israel is equally as evil as ISIS.

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    Mute Con
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 4:22 PM

    Its a stupid bloody fine. There has been teams found guilty of whole sections of their fans using racist chants and only been fined a similar amount.

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    Mute gerbreen
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 4:08 PM

    It happened at home leg at Oriel Park not the away leg?

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    Mute SpliffDude
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 4:55 PM

    Shame on Dundalk fans. Supporting a extremist group who kill their own and would kill you given a chance. Well done to UEFA.

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    Mute Seamus Murphy
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 11:26 PM

    Were you not happy with your first dig at Dundalk? Had to go again?

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    Mute colin
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    Aug 24th 2014, 2:28 AM

    It was a Palestinian national flag not a Hamas flag genius.

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    Mute Paul Circle
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    Aug 24th 2014, 5:49 PM

    sreal isn’t at war – it’s committing genocide against unarmed civilians just like ISIS.

    Terrorist netanyahu and most of the terrorist idf should be arrested if they set foot in a civilised country and sent to the Hague for attempted genocide and war crimes.

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    Mute FollowMe❤ #FreeMeers
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 6:09 PM

    One thing every comment seems to be missing here is that the flag was flown by supporters, not by the Dundalk team. As well as that, it was at an away game where if those kind of things were banned it should have been confiscated at the door. The fine should be issued to the hosting club.

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    Mute gerbreen
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 6:38 PM

    It was at Oriel Park from what I read on orielweb.

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    Mute Maureen Keogh Smyth
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 8:59 PM

    Was Not at away ….. It’s disgraceful that The Journal posted a photo earlier of innocent supporters ….

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    Mute gerbreen
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    Aug 24th 2014, 9:19 AM

    In fairness Maureen it was a picture of a few folks in good form. The replacement is a laugh.

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    Mute Dylan Prendergast
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 3:49 PM

    The fine is pretty much fair. You never mix politics and football, only true football fans know that.

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    Mute Alan Bailey
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 9:18 PM

    Yes tell that to the Serbian fans who flaunted a Chetnik flag in the Aviva stadium a few months back – not a word said about that.
    Hopefully we don’t enlist the FAI to help our cause as they’ve notoriously screwed over Dundalk FC at every opportunity in the past 20 years..

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    Mute seamus mcdermott
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 3:10 PM

    I support the Palestinian cause (in fact, I just returned from leafleting for Gaza). But I understand the rationale for keeping international politics out of sport. It’s a slippery slope. A few Pal flags and the next game you’ve got Izzy flags. And so it goes.
    Dunno about the fine, however. Just remove the fans or the flags, their choice.

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    Mute gerbreen
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 3:34 PM

    had a quick read of orielweb – seems like the fans is the answer there

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    Mute SpliffDude
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    Aug 24th 2014, 5:23 PM

    You handed out leaflets regarding Gaza? Lol! I would love to read it Propaganda bullsh!t Stop trying to brainwash people with YOUR opinions!

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    Mute Tom Red
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 2:25 PM

    First time ever a poor banana (fyffes) has being punished or fined for an offense in a soccer stadium…….

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    Mute Banga Ncube
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 2:52 PM

    What about a rich banana? Offence.

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    Mute John Judd
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 10:35 PM

    Politics has no place in football it’s a game ! As for displaying a palestinian flag so Dundalk supports Hamas now ?

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    Mute Michael Farrelly
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 11:38 PM

    idiot

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    Mute SpliffDude
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    Aug 24th 2014, 5:25 PM

    He is an idiot because his opinion is not the same as yours haha

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    Mute The Todd
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 8:40 PM

    From what I’ve heard a large part of this fine was due to supporters standing which is against UEFA regulations…Avraham Luzon, deputy chairman for UEFA’s Stadium and Security Committee just happens to be Israeli…he would have had to sign off on Oriel Park conforming to UEFA regulations, in turn declaring it being fit to host the game…he hardly took the hump after this incident and decided that Oriel Park was unfit after the game had been played? Coincidences make for great conspiracies…

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    Mute Michael Kielty
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 9:59 PM

    dundalk will raise funds to pay the fine by inviting an Islamic State Xi to Oriel Park. It will be the first representatve gave for the new country. tV rights have been bought by Sky and UEFA have sanctioned there share of revenue

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    Mute Gerard Fitzgerald
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 11:20 PM

    why would anyone with a brain support muslim terrorists,HELLO,!!!!Hamass were cutting off peoples heads before isis existed.i feel for Dundalk ONE BRAIN WASHED IDIOT HAS COST THEM

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    Mute D H
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    Aug 24th 2014, 12:46 AM

    The flag was palestinian not hamas’ flag

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    Mute Gerard Fitzgerald
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    Aug 24th 2014, 10:53 AM

    hahaha lol yeah right they elected them,so they knew what they were getting,its the idiots over here that dont know they score,ill bet their werent too many tricolours flying in the middle east during the troubles

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    Mute John Travers
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    Aug 24th 2014, 11:56 AM

    According to EU law on freedom of expression, I believe UEFA to be in breach of the rules.

    1. Article 11 corresponds to Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which reads as follows:

    “1. Everyone has the right to freedom of expression. This right shall include freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority and regardless of frontiers. This article shall not prevent States from requiring the licensing of broadcasting, television or cinema enterprises.

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    Mute Thierry Rat
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 9:47 PM

    Blame socialism

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    Mute Danger Moose
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    Aug 23rd 2014, 11:59 PM

    All those lads with their pass morkeshing degrees from Trinners, roysh, must be really annoyed that football supporting commoners are flying a Gaza flag. I mean fock that man-those goys don’t even know what a latté is. Free Goza roysh

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