Rogers' response
Credit:
Following his dismissal, Dave Rogers, through the PFAI, has released a statement. The ex St Pat's player saw red for dropping his shorts during the tie with his former club last Saturday and was sacked by the Oriel Park club less than 24 hours later.
The statement read: "Following the statement made by my employers Dundalk Football Club on Saturday 23 May, I confirm that I was involved in an incident during a match against St Patrick's Athletic the previous night.
"As a former player of St Patrick's Athletic, a club I left on good terms, I was engaged in some good-natured banter with some of the fans, many of whom I know from my time at the club. In response to some light-hearted jibes from some of these fans, I briefly lowered my shorts in what I considered to be an amusing gesture. The fans reacted in a similar manner and took no offence, to the best of my knowledge. A referee's assistant who saw the incident reported it to the referee who gave me a straight red card.
"With the benefit of hindsight, I can now see that what I did was unwise. I accept that the red card was fully justified and I am personally disappointed that I let the team, the fans and my manager down in such an important match.
"However, what has followed since from my employers, is in my view, completely unacceptable from both a footballing and human perspective. No-one from the club has ever sought my version of events, given me an opportunity to state my case or even had the courtesy to personally inform me of my dismissal. They have clearly contravened FAI rules and the relevant employment laws.
"While I accept that my actions were unhelpful to my team, I do not believe that they were offensive and, by no stretch of the imagination, could they be described as serious misconduct such as to justify my dismissal.
"I would have expected Dundalk at a minimum to treat me in a fair and reasonable manner, but I feel that I have been hung out to dry by my employers and I am bitterly disappointed."
The statement read: "Following the statement made by my employers Dundalk Football Club on Saturday 23 May, I confirm that I was involved in an incident during a match against St Patrick's Athletic the previous night.
"As a former player of St Patrick's Athletic, a club I left on good terms, I was engaged in some good-natured banter with some of the fans, many of whom I know from my time at the club. In response to some light-hearted jibes from some of these fans, I briefly lowered my shorts in what I considered to be an amusing gesture. The fans reacted in a similar manner and took no offence, to the best of my knowledge. A referee's assistant who saw the incident reported it to the referee who gave me a straight red card.
"With the benefit of hindsight, I can now see that what I did was unwise. I accept that the red card was fully justified and I am personally disappointed that I let the team, the fans and my manager down in such an important match.
"However, what has followed since from my employers, is in my view, completely unacceptable from both a footballing and human perspective. No-one from the club has ever sought my version of events, given me an opportunity to state my case or even had the courtesy to personally inform me of my dismissal. They have clearly contravened FAI rules and the relevant employment laws.
"While I accept that my actions were unhelpful to my team, I do not believe that they were offensive and, by no stretch of the imagination, could they be described as serious misconduct such as to justify my dismissal.
"I would have expected Dundalk at a minimum to treat me in a fair and reasonable manner, but I feel that I have been hung out to dry by my employers and I am bitterly disappointed."
About Alan Smith
Alan Smith works as a sub-editor for the Guardian newspaper in London. Originally from Cork, he freelances for several other newspapers and websites. Follow him on twitter @alansmith90. View Full Profile