A brother of Premier League star Stuart Dallas has been convicted of an offence involving violence against a football fan in Denmark following an incident which took place after a match last month.
ormer Irish League footballer Marcus Dallas (31) was sentenced to 40 days in prison after he was one of a number of Rangers fans arrested following trouble when the Scottish side played Danish team Brondby on November 4.
Dallas, who is married with one young daughter, was held until his conviction on November 30 and has also received a ban on entry into Denmark for six years in total.
Members of his family were thought to be concerned after he was held on remand for several weeks after the incident but Dallas is now expected to return home this week.
The ex-Loughgall FC player was among four people arrested after the game, three of whom were held in custody for the purposes of prosecution for violence against police officers and Dallas for violence against a football fan. The fourth was released for personal reasons.
The Belfast Telegraph has made an attempt to contact the Dallas family and understands the 31-year-old vehemently denies the charges or any accusation he would take part in or condone football hooliganism.
Uefa fined Scottish side Rangers £4,478 following the Brondby match after fans at the ground were seen “lighting and throwing an object”. But Rangers supporters hit back, claiming Brondby fans had charged them inside the stadium and breached the VIP area. Brondby was fined a total of £36,681 for crowd disturbances, insufficient limitation of spectator movement, throwing of objects, blocking of public passageways, lighting of fireworks and illicit chants.
Dallas is from Coagh and has previously spoken about being inspired by his brother who plays in the Premier League with Leeds United. “Growing up, we played football all the time at the back of the house. Even at a young age, you could see Stuart had great talent,” he told the Belfast Telegraph.
“He has had a fantastic career at club level and with Northern Ireland and we’re very proud. When I was 16 or 17, I drifted away from the game, whereas Stuart wanted to keep progressing. He is a good, down-to-earth lad who hasn’t forgotten where he comes from. When he comes back, he is with the boys we grew up with, having a beer.”