Fans of the South Belfast Irish League club condemned the decision to partner with a convicted sex offender
Linfield has now ended its academy partnership with a convicted sex offender following backlash from disgusted fans.
The South Belfast Irish League club was widely condemned after it said it was “delighted” to partner with Mooney’s Master Butchers on Shankill Road, which is owned by Stephen Mooney, a man who was convicted in 2018 for sexually assaulting a woman.
The club issued a statement on Thursday announcing the move and was immediately met with backlash from its fanbase who were disgusted with Linfield’s actions. Some fans have called for anyone involved in the decision to be removed from the club entirely.
READ MORE: Linfield condemned after announcing academy partnership with sex offenderREAD MORE: ‘Cruel liar’ pleads guilty to historic sexual assault of five-year-old as victim speaks out
Now, the club has issued a statement on social media saying that it has ended all sponsorship agreements with Mooney’s Butchers and that it will be putting new measures in place to ensure there is internal vetting of all sponsorship procedures.
The club has also said that it will be making a donation to a victims related charity and has apologised for any distress its decision has caused.
The Linfield FC statement said: “Linfield Football Club wishes to advise that it has terminated all sponsorship agreements with Mooney’s Butchers, including sponsorship of the Linfield Academy.
“The club will also be putting measures in place to ensure that all future sponsorship arrangements will be subject to internal vetting procedures. In addition the club will be making a donation to a victims related charity and wishes to apologise for any distress caused by this decision.”
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