A Co Down rugby club has been ordered to play its next home game behind closed doors after being sanctioned by the IRFU for supporter misconduct.
All Ireland League side Banbridge RFC were hit with the punishment following two incidents during the club's AIL fixture away to Malone on October 15.
At the time Banbridge said the game had been "regrettably marred" by match officials receiving abuse from a "very small number of our supporters".
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It means there will be no fans allowed to attend this Saturday's AIL game against UCC at Rifle Park.
The club said in a statement: "As a result of two incidents which occurred at Banbridge's last AIL game at Malone, the Disciplinary Committee at the IRFU have determined that the appropriate sanction for the club's offence is to direct that the club hold its next AIL home fixture against UCC behind closed doors, that is to say limit the attendance at Rifle Park next Saturday to players, match officials, officers of the club, coaches and medical and physio attendees only.
"This action applies to all and any matches taking place within the club grounds on the afternoon of the AIL fixture.
"The club regrets the impact that this sanction will have on our members and supporters as well as the members and supporters of UCC.
"As a club we wish to restate our full support for the IRFU Respect Initiative and the zero tolerance approach to abuse of match officials."
Last month Banbridge confirmed that two fans had admitted to abusing officials during the game against Malone and would face disciplinary action by the club.
In a separate statement issued on October 17, the club said: "Banbridge’s Energia All-Ireland League game at Malone on Saturday 15th October was regrettably marred by the match officials receiving abuse from a very small number of our supporters. Two of our supporters who have admitted to abusing the officials will be the subject of disciplinary action by the Club.
"We wish to apologise to the referee and touch judges for our supporters’ behaviour and we reiterate our full and unequivocal support for the Rugby Code of Conduct and the zero-tolerance approach of the IRFU and Ulster Branch to such abuse."
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