Linfield football club is to launch a campaign against spectator misconduct after two charges of fan misbehaviour were upheld against the Windsor Park club by the Irish FA.
The IFA’s disciplinary committee has agreed to reserve a decision on sanctions to allow the Big Two giants to undertake a “proactive campaign” and “deal with the parties responsible”.
The decision follows recent incidents at the December 27 derby with Glentoran at Windsor Park and the January 29 game with Coleraine at the Ballycastle Road Showgrounds.
It was near the end of the Coleraine game that a small number of Linfield supporters gained access to the playing arena, although the incident was very quickly brought under control by stewards.
In a lengthy statement, the Irish FA said it had “upheld charges” against Linfield for recent “breaches of the Irish FA’s Disciplinary Code”.
It added: “The committee staged a hearing to consider challenges from Linfield after they were charged with code breaches following incidents in Danske Bank Premiership fixtures against Glentoran (December 27) and Coleraine (January 29).
“Linfield were charged on both occasions with breaches of Article 33 of the association’s disciplinary code (spectator misconduct).
“They were fined £1,000 in relation to the Glentoran match, while no sanction was offered in relation to the away fixture against Coleraine.
“After a review of the club’s evidence brought to members of the committee it was concluded the Article 33 charges were proven for the incidents that occurred during both fixtures.
“Linfield have accepted the charges and members of the Disciplinary Committee have reserved their decision on the sanction pending the club’s offer of a proactive campaign to address the issue of spectator misconduct and to deal with the parties responsible.”
Meanwhile, the Irish FA has revoked charges against Linfield defender Matthew Clarke after the Blues challenged the initial ruling.
Clarke had been charged under Article 21 of the code (provoking the general public) following Linfield’s 1-1 draw with Glentoran on December 27.
But the Irish FA said the charge “was not proven” and therefore a two-match suspension and £250 fine for the player were “revoked by the committee”.
