Cork City chairman Dermot Usher has admitted that the fans who mocked Shamrock Rovers boss Stephen Bradley's son on Friday night will be "issued with lifetime bans" from Turner's Cross.
On Friday, Cork City played the current league champions Rovers in the league and won 1-0. The chanting happened in a pub following the match. Fans of Cork could be heard chanting about Bradley's son, who is currently battling leukemia.
The abuse was condemned by Bradley himself after the game.
"It's disgusting. I'm going to put in a report to the police. Singing about my son," said Bradley on Friday.
"You take a stick. As a football person, that comes with it. That's your job, and that's fine.
"But speaking about a sick nine-year-old is disgusting, and Cork City should be ashamed of them. I want them banned for life. That's disgusting.
"That has no place in football or society. That's disgusting behavior."
Both Rovers and Cork also hit out at the fans responsible on social media.
I was too annoyed to comment last night , these people are not Cork City Fans. This type of behaviour has no place in society. This is not a true reflection of what Cork City FC and the people are. Lifetime bans will be handed out to anyone connected with this. https://t.co/IHFYCo15TY
— Dermot Usher (@DermotUsher) May 27, 2023
Cork tweeted: "Cork City FC wishes to unreservedly condemn the actions of a handful of individuals who directed disgusting abuse at Shamrock Rovers Manager Stephen Bradley from outside the stadium shortly after tonight's match. The club will work with all relevant authorities to identify those involved and take appropriate action against them. On behalf of the club, we wish to apologize to Mr. Bradley for the actions of these individuals."
While Rovers said: "Shamrock Rovers F.C. condemns the actions of a number of individuals after last night's game in Cork, where some particularly hurtful verbal abuse was directed toward our head coach Stephen Bradley and his family.
"The club appreciates the support of Cork City F.C. in its condemnation of the actions of a few and their commitment to seek out those involved and deal with it accordingly."
Today, Cork's chairman Usher has claimed that the fans didn't represent the values of Cork City.
"I just can't believe that people think it's okay to actually chant the things that these guys said.
"For us as a club, we're a family club, we're trying to attract new fans to come and support the team.
"It's not the look that we want - certainly we, as a club, would apologize unreservedly towards Stephen and his family.
"I met him yesterday; we had a quick chat about it - it's just not good enough."
Usher also said those involved have already been identified and will get lifetime bans: "Two people have been identified, two people have admitted to their wrongs," he said.
"These two guys are going to get lifetime bans."
