The DUP has welcomed the termination of John Herron’s contract with Larne FC after the participant was pictured sporting a shirt apparently bearing a pro-IRA slogan
East Antrim MLA Gordon Lyons stated “there was an inevitability” to the footballer’s exit.
“I feel it sends a really constructive message, that this kind of factor isn’t acceptable,” the Stormont minister stated.
“It could’t go on, and sadly we’ve seen numerous examples of sectarian behaviour over the course of this yr and it’s been handled pretty robustly.
“That should proceed, particularly for individuals who discover themselves in positions of management and authority and those that are position fashions inside the group. It’s improper.”
Larne FC stated final night time that Herron had left the membership and that his contract had been “terminated by mutual settlement”.
It added: “We'll proceed to be unwavering in our work to make Inver Park a spot for all and won't permit this to be undermined in any method, form or type.”
A picture of the Scottish midfielder attending a Wolfe Tones live performance in west Belfast circulated on-line earlier this month, during which he will be seen sporting a inexperienced, white and orange shirt which seems to have the slogan ‘Ooh Ah Up The Ra’.
The image was closely criticised by quite a few politicians and social media customers.
Requested if he thinks Herron could have a future with some other Irish League membership, Mr Lyons stated there may be “an enormous quantity of shock” on the 28-year-old’s actions and he believes “the temper at Larne could be replicated elsewhere”.
“I’ve seen first hand the change that’s taken place at Larne FC during the last variety of years and so they’ve all the time been very clear: there’s no place for something aside from it being an inclusive membership.”
Herron was initially suspended from Larne FC final week and the IFA issued a 10-match ban over the weekend, previous to his departure from the Inver Park aspect.