The Irish Football Association were forced to defend themselves today after leaving four players and goalkeeping coach Tommy Wright, who had been questioned by police, without representation in the Czech Republic. Wright, captain Michael Hughes, David Healey, Peter Kennedy and Glenn Ferguson were all released without charge following an incident in a Prague nightclub. While they were being detained yesterday, the remainder of the Irish delegation flew home.
Wright and the four players arrived back earlier today, having been assured by manager Sammy McIlroy their international careers are not in question because of the fracas. However there is widespread unease in the province they were left to fend for themselves.
“It was made clear to us, the Czechs did not want us to stay,” general secretary David Bowen said. “We made sure a representative from the Czech FA was with the five members. He was able to interpret. We did lots of work behind the scenes, talking to the British Embassy, the Czech FA and Michael (Hughes) and Tommy (Wright) throughout the day.”
Arrangements were also made to get the boys home. A difficult situation was handled as well as possible. Wright and the four players refused to discuss the IFA's lack of negotiations with the police. But they released a statement through the Belfast Telegraph, giving their version of events at the Nancy nightspot. The players are angry, claiming they have been made to look like thugs.
The statement read: “Here are the facts and our side of story in relation to the incident. None of us were the aggressors. We did everything we could to avoid conflict. The Czech police after their investigation have exonerated us of all blame. We are the innocent party but we do want to press charges. We would like to thank the Czech police and Michael Volteur of the Czech FA and put this matter behind us.”
Filed by Sinéad Kissane
