Derry City manager Kenny Shiels to make a complaint to FAI after he says he was subjected to sectarian abuse following Cork defeat
DERRY City Football Club is to lodge a formal complaint over sectarian abuse hurled at manager Kenny Shiels after their SSE Airtricicty Premier League match against Cork City last Friday night.
The complaints relates to a touchline argument at the end of the match.
Shiels says he was called a “sectarian name” a member of the Cork City backroom team.
Cork chairman Pat Lyons said the club had no knowledge of the incident.
The Derry City complaint will be lodged with the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) by tomorrow, Wednesday, May 18.
By that time, the FAI will have had time to read the reports of both the referee and the match delegate who was at Turner’s Cross for the Premier Division game.
Candy Stripes chairman Philip O’Doherty met Kenny Shiels on Monday and a decision was made to stand by their manager.
Derry took the lead through Niclas Vemmelund after 54 minutes but conceded two late goals, with Kenny Browne scoring Cork’s winner in the first minute of stoppage time.
It was Cork’s first victory in three attempts against the Candystripes this season and Shiels was disappointed with the home team’s reaction after the final whistle.
“I’m really angry at their lack of hospitality towards me at the end as hosts,” Shiels told BBC Sport NI.
“The way they treated me was outrageous but I’ll not tolerate that. I’ll fight my own corner. I’m not going to be walked over like that.
“I was absolutely disgusted with their behaviour and I’ll be making decisions to see what we can do to get something done about it.
“They’re not going to call me names down here.”
Cork City manager John Caulfield told RTE he was “surprised” by Shiels’ allegation.
“I think it was just excitement. He [Shiels] was obviously really disappointed.
“We were excited and probably some of our management were excited.
“At the same time there was nothing in it and I’m surprised with that comment.”
