Hero image: Screenshot of LOITV coverage
Gardaí have confirmed that two men have been arrested and another is currently in hospital after a group of supporters set off fireworks at a Waterford FC game last night.
A number of the fireworks were thrown into the air over the pitch before exploding, causing an injury to Waterford player Anthony Wordsworth, and the postponement of the game by referee Rob Hennessey.
More fireworks went off in the far Tramore Road stand, right in amongst the visiting Shamrock Rovers supporters, where video coverage has shown the explosives emanated from.
In that explosion a man was injured, he was taken to University Hospital Waterford to receive treatment for his injuries, which are not life-threatening.
A 23-year-old man and an 18-year-old youth were arrested at the scene and taken to Waterford Garda Station, they have since been released.
The Dublin outfit are now likely to face disciplinary action for the fireworks.
They released a statement this morning, confirming the two individuals have been 'banned indefinitely from the Tallaght Stadium, and their actions have caused 'reputational damage' to the club.
The incident happened while the Blues were 1-0 up thanks to an early John Martin goal, and after taking the two squads off the pitch, referee Hennesey was satisfied no further explosions would take place, and restarted the game eight minutes later.
A brace from Danny Mandriou would secure a 3-1 win for Rovers in the end, but Blues Chairman Richard Forrest tweeted after the game about the incident.
I cannot get my head around this,,,,
Was chatting with the young girls football team, and two off the girls were telling me the fireworks went off rite over their heads, and they starting running b crying,,, so sad that this is their big expreince off men’s football🥲🥲🥲 https://t.co/0CHt28VQ4D— richard forrest (@richieforeest) November 5, 2021
"...two off (sic) the firls were telling me the fireworks went off rite (sic) over their heads, and they started running b (sic) crying, so sad that this is their big exprience off (sic) men's football".
The loss now means Waterford slip back into the relegation playoff places with just two games left.
