Northern Ireland

Soccer fans warned they face eviction from ground if there's a repeat of 'callous chanting' following Queen Elizabeth's death

Queen Elizabeth in her final picture this week welcomes new British Prime Minister Liz Truss at Balmoral
Queen Elizabeth in her final picture this week welcomes new British Prime Minister Liz Truss at Balmoral Queen Elizabeth in her final picture this week welcomes new British Prime Minister Liz Truss at Balmoral

SOCCER fans have been warned they face being thrown out of games if there is a repeat of “callous chanting” that followed the death of Queen Elizabeth.

A section of the Shamrock Rovers support was caught singing “Lizzie’s in a box” during their Europa Conference League clash with Swedish side Djurgardens at Tallaght Stadium.

The clip of the chanting, roughly to the tune of ‘Give it Up’ by KC and the Sunshine Band, went viral with reports it has attracted as many as four million views across social media, mostly on Twitter.

In a statement, the club said it is aware of the singing by “a group of individuals”, adding “such highly insensitive and callous chanting is not acceptable at our club and is against the values that Shamrock Rovers FC stands for”.

“Our ground regulations issued on match tickets and on signage at entry strictly prohibits such activity,” a spokesperson said. “This is also announced over the PA system before all of our games in Tallaght Stadium."

Fans are told the club “welcomes all supporters to its grounds and condemns any form of bigotry and discrimination in soccer”.

“Shamrock Rovers Football Club does not condone hostile abuse of individual players, spectators, or officials based on ethnic or cultural background, nationality, or religious affiliation.

“Those found to be involved in any such behaviour will face ejection from the ground and will be reported to the Gardaí."

The footage was reported in various parts of the world, including Fox Australia, which headlined its story "Video shows Irish football fans celebrating Queen's death."

Prior to the game, a minute's silence was observed in memory of twins Christy and Chelsea Cawley and their older sister Lisa Cash, who were killed last weekend.

More than 6,000 fans attended the game, the first of the group stages of the competition. It ended in a goalless draw.

A minute’s silence before the second half of Hearts’ game against ?stanbul Ba?ak?ehir had to be cut short after some supporters jeered. “F*** the Queen” could also be heard.

Elsewhere, her death was announced during half-time at European games involving British clubs. Players wore black armbands for the second half of the games involving Hearts, Manchester United, Arsenal and West Ham United.

Many sporting events planned for this weekend are cancelled following the Queen’s death, including all top level soccer fixtures in Northern Ireland and England.

Shamrock Rovers are due to play Finn Harps on Sunday.