Irish football club condemns ‘sick’ chant mocking death of Queen Elizabeth

Shamrock Rovers fans were on Thur.sday criticised for a ‘sick’ chant mocking the death of Queen Elizabeth II just hours after Buckingham Palace confirmed her passing

Dublin’s Tallaght stadium, where Shamrock Rovers F.C. play Europa League matches (PA)

An Irish football club has condemned what they called “callous” chanting by a section of their support during last night’s Europa Conference League tie at home to Swedish side Djurgardens.

Shamrock Rovers fans were on Thursday criticised for a ‘sick’ chant mocking the death of Queen Elizabeth II at a match just hours after Buckingham Palace confirmed her passing.

During Rovers’ game against Djurgardens in the Europa Conference League on Thursday night, supporters joined in a chorus of ‘Lizzy’s in a box’ and could be heard belting out the chant to the tune of KC and the Sunshine Band’s hit, Give It Up.

Fans of Rovers, who play in the League of Ireland Premier Division, were seen waving Irish flags and pumping their fists as they sang along.

In a statement issued today, the Hoops branded the chanting unacceptable.

A new portrait of the late Elizabeth II (PA) (PA Media)

“Shamrock Rovers F.C. has been made aware of chants by a group of individuals at last night’s game,” the club said.

“Such highly insensitive and callous chanting is not acceptable at our club and is against the values that Shamrock Rovers F.C. stands for.

“Our ground regulations issued on match tickets and on signage at entry strictly prohibit such activity. The following is also announced over the PA system before all of our games in Tallaght Stadium.

“Shamrock Rovers Football Club welcomes all supporters to its grounds and condemns any form of bigotry and discrimination in soccer.”

Social media users slammed the chant as ‘vile’, with one person writing: “Hundreds of men mocking and celebrating the death of an old lady - this is just vile.

“Many on here describe loyalism as a culture filled with hatred and bitterness, perhaps those criticising need to look in the mirror. Appalling show of sectarian bigotry by these fans.”

Another added: “Disgraceful. It takes a certain type of person to celebrate the death of an elderly lady. Sick.”

Anti-Royal sentiment among republicans in Ireland stems from the fact the reigning Monarch is the commander-in-chief for the British Army.

Some on social media defended the chant, with one Twitter user arguing: “Normally a historically oppressed people don’t hold a lot of respect, much less love, for a monarchy responsible for said oppression.”

However, the Queen was warmly remembered across the Irish political spectrum.

In 2011 she became the first British monarch to visit Ireland since the nation gained independence from Britain.

And following her death, political leaders across Ireland paid tribute to Her Majesty and praised the ‘significant contribution’ she made to promoting peace and reconciliation between the two islands.

Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: “Her state visit to Ireland in 2011 marked a crucial step in the normalisation of relations with our nearest neighbour.

“That visit was a great success, largely because of the many gracious gestures and warm remarks made by the Queen during her time in Ireland.

“Her popularity with the Irish people was also very evident and clearly made a very positive impact on the Queen.

“In particular, I recall the warmth of the welcome she received from the public in Cork during her walkabout at the English Market.

“To her grieving family and people, the Irish government join with you in mourning the loss of an exceptional woman who led by quiet and dignified example and who touched so many lives over her exceptionally long reign.”

Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald said: “I wish to extend deepest sympathy to the British Royal Family on the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

“Her passing marks the end of an era.

“Relationships between our two countries for so long marked by conflict and suffering have been recast and reimagined through the Good Friday Agreement.

“The Queen proved a powerful advocate and ally of those who believe in peace and reconciliation.

“I salute her contribution to the huge change that has evolved in recent years.

“Her death is a moment of heartbreak and pride for the British people. To them, and especially to Irish unionists, I extend on behalf of Sinn Féin and Irish Republicans sincere condolences.”