Richmond Park Section Closure for St Pat’s Home Games

Part of Richmond Park’s main stand will be closed for two of St Patrick’s Athletic’s upcoming home fixtures after a Waterford player was allegedly struck by a spectator.

The incident occurred during St Pat’s 2-0 defeat to Waterford last Friday, when away player Jorgen Voilas was reportedly hit from the stands. The Football Association of Ireland’s independent disciplinary committee has responded with a financial penalty and sanctions targeting Section G of the main stand.

The committee has ordered a fine and a one-match closure of Section G – a decision St Pat’s are entitled to appeal – and has also triggered a previously suspended one-match closure for the same section. In effect, Section G now faces a two-game shutdown.

Timing plays a crucial role. With Bohemians due at Richmond Park on Saturday, the short turnaround means the closure will not apply to that match. The league has accepted that there is not enough time to put the required operational changes in place before that fixture.

Instead, the punishment is currently set to hit two high-profile league games later in the season: the visit of Shamrock Rovers on 11 September and Shelbourne on 16 October.

Statement from the League of Ireland

“Following the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division fixture between St Patrick’s Athletic FC and Waterford FC at Richmond Park on Friday, 28 August 2026, during which a player was struck by a spectator, an Independent Disciplinary Committee of the FAI has imposed a fine and a one match closure of Section G of the Main Stand of Richmond Park.

“The Committee have also activated a previously suspended one match closure of Section G.

“Given the limited time between Saturday’s fixture against Bohemian FC, the closures will take effect following that fixture to allow the necessary operational arrangements to be implemented. Section G will therefore be closed for St Patrick’s Athletic FC’s next two home league fixtures.

“This decision may be appealed in accordance with the FAI Disciplinary Regulations.”

For St Pat’s, the focus now moves from a bruising night against Waterford to managing the fallout in the stands, with two major Dublin clashes set to unfold in a partially closed Richmond Park.