Irish Premiership referee’s car vandalised and tagged with ‘all taigs are targets’ sticker

https://m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/irish-league/irish-premiership-referees-car-vandalised-and-tagged-with-all-taigs-are-targets-sticker/a300651624.html

The Irish FA and Portadown FC have expressed their disgust after a match official experienced sectarian intimidation at Sunday’s Sports Direct Premiership game at Solitude.

Assistant referee Richard Hegarty was on duty at the match involving Cliftonville and Portadown, which was broadcast live on Sky Sports and finished 2-2.
Later, the official was shocked and distressed to discover his car had been damaged and a sectarian sticker placed on it.

As well as his vehicle being keyed, the sticker read ‘Portadown on Tour, All Taigs are Targets’ and was accompanied with a Red Hand of Ulster flag and two crosses through a Cliftonville and Celtic symbol.
Ballymoney official Hegarty had parked his car on the Cliftonville Road and following the incident he informed the Irish FA.

The association reiterated its message that it is strongly opposed to sectarianism.
An Irish FA spokesperson said: “The Irish FA has been made aware of the incident.

“The Irish FA condemns sectarianism in all its forms. The association has worked tirelessly to promote respect across the game — and the essential value of football as a sport open to all.”

The Belfast Telegraph has seen evidence of the damage to the official’s vehicle and the sticker placed on it.

It is also understood that the official who was targeted has received previous online abuse.
The young assistant referee did not wish to comment on the incident.

Portadown FC secretary Ken Funston said he was appalled to learn of the shocking development.
“We totally abhor what has happened,” he said. “I am just learning about it and Portadown does not want to be associated with these people.

“We are a mixed club, both players and supporters, and we abhor any sectarianism from wherever it comes from. We would not have those individuals about us, definitely not.”

A sectarian sticker used to target Richard Hegarty
Sectarian incidents in and around Irish League grounds have become more isolated in recent years, although bigotry and racism still comes to the surface, with some clubs receiving sanctions.

There were reports of sectarian singing during the game involving Larne and Shamrock Rovers at Windsor Park last October.

After the game, there were complaints on social media about the behaviour of some Shamrock Rovers fans, with chants about the IRA and the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Earlier this season, Championship outfit Bangor issued an apology and said “we condemn all forms of sectarian behaviour” after a number of young people were heard “singing sectarian songs, using sectarian language and engaging in anti-social behaviour” during a North Down derby victory over Ards.

Some people were ejected from the ground and banned from attending future matches.
Bangor FC added: “Our position as a club is clear and unequivocal, we condemn all forms of sectarian behaviour. People who attend matches and engage in such behaviour are only letting themselves down and have the potential to tarnish the good name of Bangor FC and its loyal supporters.”

Back in 2000, the Amalgamation of Official Northern Ireland Supporters’ Clubs and the Irish FA launched a successful Football For All initiative encouraging positive, inclusive fan behaviour and interventions against discrimination of any kind, including the famous ‘Sea of Green’ campaign at international matches.