Celtic star Anthony Stokes reprimanded over Real IRA links after attending memorial for murdered leader

Anthony Stokes accused of damaging club’s reputation

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Ireland soccer star Anthony Stokes

Photo by BBC

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Ireland soccer star Anthony Stokes has been accused of shaming Glasgow Celtic football club after publicly supporting a Real IRA event.

Celtic have taken action against Stokes after he attended a memorial service for dissident Republican Alan Ryan.

Currently out injured, Stokes was caught at camera at a Dublin event in honour of the murdered Real IRA leader.

Club boss Neil Lennon has told Stokes that he damaged the club’s reputation by attending the memorial for family friend Ryan.

Stokes also posted a Twitter message in support of Ryan on the day of his funeral which read: “Thinking of you Alan...”

The Irish Independent reports that the international striker also threatened to sue a journalist who wrote about his links to Ryan.

The Real IRA leader was shot dead in Dublin last September. Ryan was a regular at the Players’ Lounge Bar in Fairview which is owned by the footballer’s father.

Stokes also received a tweet from a user who wrote that he hoped ‘the UVF put a bullet in your head’.
When asked on Tuesday if Celtic had warned Stokes about his behaviour, Lennon said: “Yes we have. We spoke to him internally.

“I am not going to moralise to him, but you cannot damage the reputation of the club. He is aware of that now. The matter has been dealt with internally.”
 

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