Football: Linfield hit with stadium ban following fan incidents

Linfield have been hit with a two-game stadium ban for their home supporters by the Irish Football Association.

It follows incidents involving their fans during last month's ports Direct Premiership defeat away to Coleraine. A section of the Linfield support let off flares at the beginning of the second half of that match.

Prior to the two-game complete stadium ban, no home supporters will be allowed in the West Stand, or The Kop as it's more commonly known, at Windsor Park for their next league match, which is against Newry City on Saturday March 16th.

The subsequent two-game total ban on home fans won't kick in until the first two games of the top-six split in early April.

Linfield have also been fined £3,000.

A statement released by the IFA Disciplinary Committee stated they triggered the activation of the one-match stadium ban for home spectators in the West Stand at Windsor Park, which was the ban imposed and subsequently suspended following the Boxing Day game at home to Glentoran.

The additional two-match full stadium ban for home spectators was issued to Linfield yesterday and will immediately follow the fixture where the West Stand only is closed. It will be implemented for the next two applicable Sports Direct Premiership home fixtures - those are the games that will take place post-split.

Linfield have the right to challenge the two-match full stadium ban with the Disciplinary Committee.