An AMATEUR football club in Belfast has alleged that club officials, their relatives and fans were subjected to sectarian abuse and threats by rival supporters on Saturday.
Crumlin Star FC claimed they received a "torrent of sectarian abuse" after scoring a late winner in their Northern Amateur Football League (NAFL) Premier League match at Islandmagee FC.
In addition to the sectarian comments, the statement also claims that a club official was threatened with bottles and that a car belonging to a family member of a team manager was attacked.
In response, Islandmagee said that he does not condone any form of sectarianism and would investigate post-match allegations from Wilbourne Park fully.
'traumatized'
In its statement, the Crumlin Star said it had reported the alleged incidents that followed its 2-1 win against the NAFL.
"Crumlin Star Football Club would like to register their disgust at the abuse of management, officials, women and children by a faction of so-called Islandmagee FC supporters at yesterday's NAFL Premier League match at Wilbourne Park," the statement read.
"After scoring a winner in stoppage time, we were subjected to a torrent of sectarian insults from the fans behind the goal. This included being called Fenian bastards.
"The club manager's wife was called a Fenian whore and similar abuse was hurled at the manager's daughter.
CRUMLIN STAR FC STATEMENT pic.twitter.com/T5YpgmrvsM
โ Crumlin Star Football Club๐โญ (@CrumlinStarFC) February 5, 2023
โThe five-year-old son of our Club Secretary was traumatized and crying when his father was threatened with bottles and glasses.
"Our supporters were threatened and mistreated with sectarian insults as they left the grounds and the car of the manager's wife and daughter was attacked as they left."
He added: โWe at Crumlin Star are totally disgusted by this abuse, particularly of women and children.
"We have reported these incidents to the president of the Northern Amateur Football League."
Investigation
In a statement, Islandmagee FC said the club, which is located around 20 miles north of Belfast, has always welcomed players of all backgrounds and religions.
"We would like to make it clear that Islandmagee Football Club officials, committee, players, management and supporters in no way condone any form of sectarianism," the statement read.
"As a mixed club made up of people of different backgrounds and religions over the years, this is something that would never be tolerated at Islandmagee.
"The club will fully investigate the allegations circulating on social media regarding this and will not comment further until all the facts have been presented to the relevant governing bodies."
The Irish Post has contacted the NAFL for comment.
