ORGANISERS of the Celtic fanzone at a west Belfast pub have withdrawn an application for £15,000 of council funding.
In an email to Belfast City Council yesterday, Féile an Phobail said it "will not be used as a political football".
It follows criticism from some councillors of plans to give money towards the fanzone at the Devenish Complex for Celtic's Champions League tie against Linfield.
Funding was approved at a recent West Belfast Police and Community Safety Partnership (PSCP) meeting.
Unionist councillors had called for the money to be withdrawn, while the SDLP also branded it a "gross misuse of ratepayers' money".
But Sinn Féin councillor Matt Garrett, who tabled the proposal at the PSCP meeting, said it was "about creating a secure environment for people to watch the match".
Celtic opted against taking its ticket allocation for the game, which was moved from July 11 amid security concerns.
In an email to the council, Féile director Kevin Gamble said: "We have since reviewed the need for this funding and after consultation with our stakeholders and with the support of local businesses we no longer require additional funding to deliver the fanzone.
"Féile will not be used as a political football despite attempts by some in the media and those politically opposed to the community values Féile upholds."
Mr Gamble said among its aims, the fanzone was to "reduce tension and build-up of crowds at key interfaces" and "encourage people without tickets to stay away from Windsor Park".
"In terms of suitable venues in west Belfast, the Devenish Complex was the best option," he said.
"Féile secured the support of local businesses, elected representatives, statutory bodies and, critically, those organisations who work tirelessly to reduce tensions at interfaces. Subsequently we requested and secured financial support from West Belfast PCSP."
A Belfast City Council spokesman confirmed: "We have been advised by Féile that they wish to withdraw their application for funding."
Meanwhile, the council has said it split with the Stormont Executive the cost of relocating last year's Euro 2016 fanzone.
The Irish News reported last September that the council spent £170,000 relocating the facility to Boucher Road playing fields for just two matches.
The fanzone was initially held at the Belsonic music venue beside Titanic Belfast at no cost to the public purse, but the council stepped in when the football championship's knock-out stages clashed with scheduled concerts.
At the time the local authority said it was "in discussion with the NI Executive in relation to their contribution" to the cost.
Yesterday Belfast council revised the bill down to £160,000 and confirmed that half was paid by the Stormont executive.
