A CROWD of loyalists in a north Belfast park hurled sectarian abuse at soccer players wearing Celtic and GAA tops.
Dozens of men had gathered at Grove playing fields as members of North Belfast United FC attended the park for training on Thursday evening.
The players – some as young as 16, and some wearing Celtic jerseys – were forced to leave.
Two members of another soccer club out jogging, including one wearing an O'Neills top, were also targeted.
It comes just days after an anti-GAA banner appeared at the park as well as graffiti, which are being treated by police as a hate incident.
An anonymous Twitter account called 'GroveNoGAA' has also been set up, warning that GAA and Celtic fans are "not welcome".
Paul Magill, chairman of North Belfast United, said they arrived at the playing fields at about 6.30pm for training.
"As we were walking down to the pitches, groups of men all around the pitches were starting to come out of the tree line," he said.
"You could tell what was happening. You could tell it was intimidation.
"We didn't even get to train. We were there for 10 minutes max.
"Once our players were walking away, they were shouting 'taigs', 'f*** off round to your own area'."
Mr Magill said the team, whose ages range from 16 to mid-thirties, were wearing their own clothes, including some wearing Celtic tops.
Mr Magill said the club has decided not to return to the park for some time to ensure their players' safety.
"It's completely backward. I don't understand why all of a sudden it has been a big issue," he added.
"North Belfast United has been training there for 17 years in the summer, so it has never been an issue before. We have players in the club who are Protestant and Catholic.
"All of our club has been open to every side of the community. We're a family club, and we want to make sure we include everybody."
A representative of Ardoyne-based Shamrock FC said two cousins were jogging around the park, one wearing an O'Neill's top, when they witnessed the crowd.
The group "then turned their attention to the two joggers", who were told they were were not welcome.
SDLP councillor Paul McCusker condemned the intimidation. He said he understood one of those targeted was wearing a GAA jersey.
The deputy lord mayor said he has contacted police and asked council officials what can be done to "make sure people using this park are safe".
"Sectarianism won't be tolerated in our parks. Our parks are for everyone to use. It's 2020 – people need to grow up," he said.
"Unionist politicians need to come out and publicly state that they do not support this and show leadership around standing up to sectarianism, and that our parks are safe and can be used by both sides of the community, because as the days go on we are concerned that this will continue to escalate."
DUP councillor Dean McCullough said there have been several sectarian incidents in recent months.
"Residents have been verbally abused and felt intimidated. Anti-unionist writing and contentious flags have also been placed in Grove Park," he said.
"Grove Park is a public park and is open to all. All forms of intimidation are wrong and we condemn them outright. No-one should feel targeted or harassed because of their religion."
Police said they are liaising with a football team following a report that a member had been subjected to verbal abuse.
Inspector Paul Noble said: "We are also aware of comments circulating on social media, but have not received any reports of any other incidents."
In a separate incident on Thursday, he said a 13-year-old boy was assaulted and another 13-year-old boy's rear bicycle wheel was damaged. It followed an altercation between two groups of young people.
Mr Noble added: "Police will continue to pay particular attention to the area with regular patrols in the days ahead and will continue to liaise with partner agencies and local representatives."
