Northern Ireland

IFA working with police to identify those captured in a video chanting 'we hate Catholics'

A still from the video in which people wearing Northern Ireland replica shirts are heard singing 'We hate Catholics'
A still from the video in which people wearing Northern Ireland replica shirts are heard singing 'We hate Catholics' A still from the video in which people wearing Northern Ireland replica shirts are heard singing 'We hate Catholics'

THE Irish Football Association last night said it is currently working with police to identify those captured in a video chanting "we hate Catholics".

The organisation said it would "take action against those involved" in the sectarian singing.

It comes after the names of those involved in the chanting - some wearing Northern Ireland football shirts - were circulated widely on social media.

Castlederg-based Killen Rangers FC issued a statement on Monday saying it was aware that some club members were present in Belfast for the Northern Ireland match atWindsor Park.

The IFA had said it would work to ensure those captured in the video were prevented from attending future Northern Ireland matches.

The Irish News last night asked the organisation if it had taken any steps yet to ban those involved after their names were circulated publicly.

In a statement, a spokesman said: "The Irish FA has a zero-tolerance approach to sectarianism and is currently working with the police and other relevant authorities to identify those in the video and to take action against those involved".

The 20-second video featured a number of people singing," We hate Catholics, we hate Roman Catholics" to the tune of Tiffany’s I Think We’re Alone Now.

It has been suggested the footage was captured in a bar in south Belfast after Northern Ireland’s win against Belarus in a European Championship qualifier on Sunday.

A crowd of around 20 people are seen in the bar, however, not all were singing the sectarian lyrics. It has also been reported that those responsible for the chanting were ejected from the bar.

A PSNI spokesman also said "police are aware of a video circulating online. Enquiries are ongoing".

Killen Rangers FC apologised for "the obvious offence" caused to Catholics after the sectarian singing adding that it wished to "condemn" the chanting "without hesitation".

It said if "disciplinary action is deemed appropriate then the necessary sanctions will be taken without hesitation".