Unsavoury fan incident forces Leinster to launch quarter-final investigation
Leinster Rugby have taken to social media to condemn what they describe as an isolated sectarian incident which resulted in the removal of a spectator from the Aviva Stadium on Saturday evening.
A capacity crowd of 51,700 was in attendance for the all-Irish Champions Cup quarter-final derby against Ulster, a match for which the northerners received 25 per cent of the tickets.
Leinster went on to win the quarter-final 21-18, a victory that earned them a semi-final fixture against Toulouse in Dublin on April 21.
However, their victory was marred by an incident that resulted in one fan being removed from the ground after caused a disturbance.
“Leinster Rugby is aware of an isolated incident during yesterday's game which was dealt with at the time by stewards and by Gardaí," read a statement which Leinster tweeted on Sunday. "There is no place in sport or in our society for any form of physical or verbal abuse.
"Thank you to the vast majority of the 51,700 who sang, roared, cheered and urged both teams on in what was a hugely special day for Irish rugby. Let that be the narrative.”
One supporter used Twitter to publish a picture of the spectator who was allegedly removed. Adam Moursy (@adammoursy) wrote: “This fool spent the first 20 minutes of the 2nd half shouting sectarian abuse at a group of @UlsterRugby @UlsterRugbySP caused a Leinster supporting father & son to leave with the filth that was coming out of his mouth. No one should ever be abused at a match #LEIvULS @OLSCRugby."
The tweeter later added: “Leinster supporter reported him, stewards and guards eventually got involved and he was removed.”
The removal of a spectator for shouting sectarian abuse marked the end of a strange week at the combined use stadium in Dublin as the Aviva witnessed tennis balls being thrown into the pitch last Tuesday during a fan protest at the Republic of Ireland versus Georgia soccer match.
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wel the crusaders were beaten by a queensland reds side that hadnt beaten them at home since 1999 and queensland reds partied like it was 1999
Go to commentsThink it was a great defensive performance by Northampton. They didn't have stage fright in the first half, the Nienaber defense smothered them. They limited Leinster to 15-3 in the first half. It could have been over by then. A great try from Leinster in the start of the second half looked to have sealed it. But Byrne missed another conversion. Northampton started trying little kicks behind the Leinster wingers. Leinster messed one and Smith brilliantly made the conversion. Leinster decided to tighten the game after Byrne missed a straight forward penalty. A few errors got NH into the 22 and they scored and converted with a few minutes left. Another brilliant steal from Lawes saw NH have a final attack which was turned over by Conan. A classic semi final. World record attendance of 82,300. Leinsters 3 week preparation warranted for this one.
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