david_smith
Jonathan Gabay has accused League of Ireland fans of anti-semitic abuse.
Gabay produced the ‘League of Ireland Branding Report’ this week, which was viewed as controversial by many, particularly for it’s emphatic praise for FAI CEO John Delaney, who the English branding guru described as “amazing”.
“Sorry I don’t mind comments but when you start with antisemitic remarks, you lost your argument for all the League,†Gabay said in response to allegedly being called a ‘shyster’ on Twitter, a term which he considered to be anti-semitic.
Due to vile antisemtic tweets I had to block my account to some. I have a family. I understand there are questions about my recent report..
— Jonathan Gabay (@jjgabay) December 16, 2016
The report, which was prepared after 12 weeks of research, was riddled with spelling and grammatical errors, and many Irish fans voiced their displeasure with the report on social media.
Gabay also recommended a new logo for the league, as well as a new name, suggesting that the SSE Airtricity League be renamed ‘the League of Ireland sponsored by SSE Airtricity.’
The report also accuses the Irish clubs who refused the €5,000 offered by the FAI towards the compilation of a business plan of “political hijackingâ€.
Gabay also criticized the behaviour of fans at the FAI Cup final in his report:
“Attending the FAI Cup final, I witnessed flares being thrown onto the pitch by hardcore fans – at one point almost setting fire to the goal netting. The tribes also chanted abuse criticising the FAI.
“Given that the FAI – in all its broader aspects – from national administrators to associated volunteers – are in fact the League of Ireland’s greatest supporters, and that the brazen chants were yelled in front of leading public dignitaries attending the game, as an outsider, despite the football play on the pitch, the entire experience left the impression that the brand as a whole lacked solidity and pride.â€
League Director Fran Gavin says time will be spent reviewing the report, which was delivered at the Aviva Stadium, before any changes are implemented.
