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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Staff reporter

Shamrock Rovers condemn fans over 'callous' chanting after Queen's death

Shamrock Rovers have hit out at 'unacceptable' chanting from supporters during their Europa Conference League match against Djurgardens on Thursday night.

A video clip of a callous chant relating to the death of Queen Elizabeth II yesterday circulated online has been viewed over seven million times in less than 24 hours since it was posted on Twitter.

The clip appears to show fans chanting, "Lizzie's in a box," to the tune of KC and the Sunshine Band hit, Give It Up. The supporters, some of whom waved flags and pumped fists in the air while belting out the words, have been heavily criticised on social media.

Read next: Premier League games postponed following death of Queen Elizabeth II

The story has been picked up by media outlets around the world in the wake of the Queen's passing yesterday, with Fox Australia reporting it as "Video shows Irish football fans celebrating Queen's death."

When approached by the Irish Mirror for comment, Shamrock Rovers made the following statement:

"Shamrock Rovers F.C. has been made aware of chants by a group of individuals at last night's game. 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 prohibits such activity. This 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. Shamrock Rovers Football Club does not condone hostile abuse of individual players, spectators, or officials based on ethnic or cultural background, nationality, or religious affiliation. Those found to be involved in any such behaviour will face ejection from the ground and will be reported to the Gardaí."

Despite the action of some fans at the match, the Queen was warmly remembered across Irish politics. In 2011, she became the first British monarch to visit the Republic of Ireland since Irish independence.

She made gestures of reconciliation for Britain's past in Ireland during the four-day visit, ending in a speech in which she expressed regret for past conflicts between the two countries.

"During those memorable few days, the Queen did not shy away from the shadows of the past," Irish President Michael D. Higgins said in a statement.

"Her moving words and gestures of respect were deeply appreciated and admired by the people of Ireland and set out a new, forward-looking relationship between our nations – one of respect, close partnership and sincere friendship."

Micheal Martin, Ireland's Taoiseach, said the Queen's death was an "end of an era." He 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."

A minute’s silence held before the second half of Hearts’ European match against İstanbul Başakşehir also had to be cut short after supporters jeered.

Her passing was announced during half-time of the game in Edinburgh, which also saw players don black armbands for the remainder of the fixture.

There were similar tributes held before or during Europa League and Conference League matches involving Manchester United, Arsenal and West Ham United.

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