A Northern Irish footballer was sanctioned six games for urinating on the pitch during a match of the Northern Ireland Cup disputed last July at the Windsor Park stadium in Belfast between his team, the Coleraine, and the Ballymena United.
Eoin Bradley, of Catholic origin, was forced to respond, quite discreetly, to the call of nature shortly before the extension of the semifinal of that tournament and, in addition to the punishment imposed by the Federation, has received sectarian attacks on social networks of fans who consider that he has “desecrated” a “temple” of Northern Irish football, mostly Protestant.
The Federation announced on Tuesday that the player has been found “guilty” of “misconduct” by violating Article 17, which punishes actions that “discredit the game,” according to those responsible in a statement.
He Coleraine he lost that tie in the penalty shootout and for six games he will not be able to count one of his best players, who scored the only goal scored by his team against him Ballymena.
Shortly before extra time, the BBC television cameras captured the moment when the player left the pitch to relieve himself, after he reportedly asked to go to the toilet, a request that was denied due to to the measures imposed by COVID-19.
Since then, Bradley has been harshly criticized on social media, where they have described his behavior as “typical of a Fenian”, a derogatory term towards the Catholic-nationalist community of the British province.
The footballer has defended himself from the attacks and has also published entries on social networks.
“Yeah I pissed on Windsor. Yes, I am a Fenian / Catholic. Some of my best friends are Protestants. And that? It's 2020. Grow up, “Bradley wrote.
The CEO of Coleraine, Stevie McCann, has also protected its player and condemned online attacks.
“Comments of a sectarian nature have no place and are not welcome in the Coleraine FC “, stressed the manager.
Before landing at the Coleraine, Bradley was a Gaelic football player with the Derry, a sport associated with Catholics throughout Ireland and considered a symbol of nationalism both in the south and north of the island. EFE