Wells on case as Healy says sorry after 'flute' gesture
Tuesday, 22 July 2008
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Irish Football Association chief executive Howard Wells last night moved to act on the controversy surrounding Northern Ireland goalscoring hero David Healy.
The striker landed himself in the middle of a sectarian storm when he mimicked playing a flute during a friendly game between his club Fulham and Celtic in London on Saturday.
And although the issue doesn’t involve the IFA, Wells is keen to ensure that the matter involving the country’s favourite footballing son doesn’t have serious consequences here.
Healy had been the subject of jibes from a section of the 11,000 fans that the Scottish champions took to Craven Cottage at the weekend as he warmed up before coming on as a substitue.
He responded by playing an imaginary flute – similar to Paul Gascoigne shortly after he joined Rangers back in 1995.
Healy’s actions were caught on camera and that has now whipped up a storm in three countries.
"I put a call into David to speak to him," said.Wells
"I’ll speak to Roy Hodgson, the Fulham manager, to see his take on it and I shan’t be jumping to any conclusions."
Healy has escaped the controversy for now as he, along with his club and international colleagues Aaron Hughes, Chris Baird and Steve Davis, headed for South Korea on a pre-season trip yesterday.
Before boarding the flight, however, Healy issued a public apology for the incident.
"I am supposed to be a role model and I can only apologise,” he said.
“I can guarantee from my point of view it will never happen again."
"It was one of those regrettable incidents that somebody said something and I made a silly gesture, which ultimately I regret."
Fulham have also promised to fully investigate the incident.
A club spokesman said: "The team is in Korea for pre-season. The club is looking into the alleged incident."
Healy was awarded an MBE earlier this year for services to football and the community in Northern Ireland after scoring a record 13 goals during his country’s bid to reach Euro 2008.
He has also been involved in a number of cross-community projects in Northern Ireland.
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101 Comments
I guess I have seen a very useful blog tester
Sorry, I don’t remember the name- just use the search.
Posted by sssr | 10.11.08, 21:24 GMT
Oh god some people cant take a banter !
Go On David :)
Posted by Katey rfc | 14.08.08, 05:33 GMT
Hardly a big deal. Somebody did the same thing about ten years ago. Healy's not even that good of a player. He only looks like a good player in the context of Northern Ireland.
He mimicked the playing of a flute?'Shock horror. You would think he'd have matured a bit, and understood his actions being a public sporting figure. Hes just cost himself a lot of young Catholic fans.
Posted by Dave | 29.07.08, 11:34 GMT
WHAT A LEGEND!!!!
WHAT A HERO!!!!
WHAT A GREAT ROLE MODEL!!!!
DAVID HEALY A TRUE SPORTSMAN & A TRUE GENTLEMAN!!!!!
While Celtic Fans are chanting at him, David make a simple gesture with a smile on his face, no abusive words spoken, no abusive gestures given.
And then to prove along with his amazing football talents he holds the personality and sportmanship skills, he willingly signs programmes off ALL fans, regardless off their previous actions or regardless off which team they support!
AND THATS WHY OUR DAVID HEALY WILL RECIEVED A MBE!!!!
Posted by Rachel-Ann | 27.07.08, 09:02 GMT
HEALY HEALY HEALY THE MANS A GOD. WATS ALL THE FUSS WAT ABOUT BORUC CROSSIN HIMSELF OR THE POPE T-SHIRT
Posted by RICKY | 26.07.08, 20:56 GMT
i am living in New Zealand i think the the celtic fans would also have though it was funny for what i read in the papers over here david healy has done a lot for northern ireland so it is up to them who know that it was all in fun as i am irish and loves the flute hand actings
Posted by old school irish | 26.07.08, 09:22 GMT
How much have the media made of such a non-event? Nothing wrong with a bit of craic and banter at a match.
Posted by Gerard | 25.07.08, 12:19 GMT
He apologised, lets move on what else can we ask for.
I am a Celtic fan and it did not bother me at all. He made a mistake.
Posted by John | 24.07.08, 04:18 GMT
Banter is very acceptable at any sporting event, if you can't handle it there's no need for you to turn up at a sporting fixture, banter between Healy and the Celtic fans is not surprising, his responce is what would be expected if a Celtic fan asked him what he was up to on the twelth, a perfectly natural responce to a perfect sporty wind up question....
What chaps my butt about this whole episode is this, and it seems to be a common thread among the great oppressed of our planet, from whatever walk of life they may come - - look at them in the wrong way and your a bigot.....simple answer, if you can sling the muck, make sure you can catch the muck...
Posted by Giggs Johnston, Aberdeen | 23.07.08, 14:14 GMT
As i celtic fan i fink the media made a big deal outa nothing. bita craic!
Posted by peter | 23.07.08, 09:46 GMT
You're missing the point here Jacabus, I don't think David, or anyone else for that matter, wants to wear a sash at a football match, after all it is a FOOTBALL match, not a political/ religious/ cultural event.
Posted by Tut! | 23.07.08, 09:34 GMT
SINCE WHEN DID EVERYONES SKIN BECOME SOOOOOOOO THIN
Posted by Annabella | 23.07.08, 06:11 GMT
IT'S TIME THAT PEOPLE SHUT UP ABOUT THIS MATTER. MOST CELTIC FANS DON'T SEEM TO BE ANNOYED BY DAVID'S GESTURE, BUT THE NEWSPAPERS SEEM TO WANT TO CAUSE TROUBLE. I WOULD BE VERY HAPPY TO PROVIDE DAVID WITH A PROPER SASH TO WEAR AT MATCHES. IF I WAS DAVID I WOULD NOT SAY SORRY ABOUT THE MATTER, BUT I WOULD BE VERY HAPPY TO TELL MY CRITICS WHERE TO GO.
Posted by JACABUS | 23.07.08, 00:36 GMT
I totally agree with Gavin. a bit of light-hearted banter is just that, and nothing more should be read into it than was intended. David Healey apologised to those who didnt see the joke and it should now be laid to rest - everyone just stop being so touchy.
Posted by Robert | 22.07.08, 20:34 GMT
i feel sad and get my hanky out and wipe the tears away as i can't stop laughing. if you were wondering what i was doing on the 12th of july i was having a walk down the queens highway see you behind the goals
Posted by a.c. | 22.07.08, 19:50 GMT
As a celtic and republic fan I have no problem with what david has done. The crowd were teasing him and he joked back. It's just a pity that we in northern ireland are so touchy that we take offence to someone miming a musical instrument!
To claim Healy is a bigot is ridiculous. I just wish he'd have declared for the republic (regardless of what he does on bank holidays.
Posted by gavin | 22.07.08, 18:18 GMT
Fair play to celtic fans for recognising this for what it was, banter. Exaggerated by the media.
Posted by NB | 22.07.08, 16:21 GMT
Some of the criticism of Healy is OTT given a reaction of Celtic Fans who were at the game, ongoing BANTER ETC.......LONG live the KING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by DAVE SMITH | 22.07.08, 15:42 GMT
So Northern Ireland's leading goalscorer is an accomplished flute player as well. Is there no end to the great man's talents? LEGEND ! hahahahahaha
Posted by LarneMan | 22.07.08, 15:41 GMT
Obviously Healy thought he was getting away without being seen doing this. Now of course it is all over the media and the remorse is flowing. Likely story! There should be a very heavy fine and even a suspension for this unquestionable act of fan provocation. Can you imagine if this had been Artur Boruc? He blesses himself, as do hundreeds of players every single game, and what happens to him? He gets booked, slammed in the media and warned by the police in Scotland. Yes, Healy should be hammered. Apology or not.
Posted by Joe | 22.07.08, 15:26 GMT
101 Comments