PETER KELLY,
Sir, - The events preceding Northern Ireland's friendly in Windsor Park on Wednesday night, only highlight how deep the river runs when sectarianism and football collide. As a Glasgow Celtic supporter I can sympathise with Neil Lennon and felt he had no alternative but to withdraw from the fixture.
My only concern is what sort of reception will be afforded to the next visiting international player at Lansdowne Road who happens to play for Glasgow Rangers. I hope that in the interest of fair play and to maintain the Republic's standing on the world football stage, that this is not the case. I fear it will be the opposite. - Your, etc.,
PETER KELLY, Swords, Co. Dublin
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Sir, - I have no doubt that all football followers, whether from the North or South, will rightly condemn the circumstances which led to Neil Lennon's withdrawal from the Northern Ireland team on Wednesday night.
However, before we in the South become too smug we should remember the abuse which Peter Lovenkrands was subjected to a few months ago in Dublin when playing for Denmark merely because his club was Glasgow Rangers.
These people were so ignorant that they abused another player for most of the match in the mistaken belief that he was Lovenkrands. While this abuse was minor compared to what has happened to Lennon, we should remember that it is from little seeds that big apples grow. - Yours, etc.,
DAVID SWEENEY, Castletroy, Co Limerick