Richmond Park Stand Closure After Waterford Incident

Part of Richmond Park’s main stand will be closed for two of St Patrick’s Athletic’s upcoming home games after a Waterford player was allegedly struck by a spectator.

The incident occurred during St Pat’s 2-0 home defeat to Waterford last Friday, when away player Jorgen Voilas was reportedly hit from the stands. The Football Association of Ireland confirmed that an Independent Disciplinary Committee has now stepped in with sanctions.

The committee has imposed a fine on the club and ordered a one-match closure of Section G in the main stand. On top of that, it has triggered a previously suspended one-match closure of the same section, meaning Section G is currently set to be shut for two fixtures.

Crucially for St Pat’s, the punishment will not bite immediately. With Bohemians due at Richmond Park on Saturday and preparations already in motion, the FAI has ruled that the closure cannot be implemented in time for that game.

Instead, Section G is scheduled to be closed for the visit of Shamrock Rovers on 11 September and Shelbourne on 16 October, both in the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division.

In a statement, the League of Ireland outlined the disciplinary ruling, confirming the fine, the fresh one-game closure and the activation of the suspended sanction, and noting that the delay until after the Bohemians match is to “allow the necessary operational arrangements to be implemented”.

St Pat’s retain one avenue: the decision can be appealed under FAI Disciplinary Regulations. Whether they choose to fight it, with two high-profile home league fixtures on the line, is the next call facing the club.