Richmond Park Section Closure After Waterford Incident

Part of Richmond Park’s main stand will be closed for two of St Patrick’s Athletic’s upcoming home matches after an incident in last Friday’s defeat to Waterford.

The move follows an allegation that Waterford player Jorgen Voilas was struck by a spectator during St Pat’s 2-0 home loss.

An independent disciplinary committee of the Football Association of Ireland has handed down a fine and ordered a one-match closure of Section G in the main stand. The committee also triggered a previously suspended one-match closure for the same section, meaning Section G is now set to be shut for two games.

St Pat’s can appeal the decision.

Timing

Timing plays a crucial role. With Bohemians due at Richmond Park on Saturday and preparations already in motion, the sanctions will not affect that fixture. Instead, the closure is currently scheduled to hit two high-profile league games: the visit of Shamrock Rovers on 11 September and Shelbourne on 16 October.

In a statement, the League of Ireland confirmed the disciplinary ruling, referencing the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division clash between St Patrick’s Athletic and Waterford on 28 August 2026 and noting that “a player was struck by a spectator”.

The statement outlined that Section G will be closed for St Patrick’s next two home league fixtures once the Bohemians match has been played, to allow the club to put “the necessary operational arrangements” in place.

The club now faces a choice: accept the punishment and adapt for two of their biggest home dates of the season, or take the fight to the appeals process under the FAI Disciplinary Regulations.