Sir, - I refer to Justin Kilcullen's letter of September 5th regarding racist behaviour at last week's soccer match against Holland. I too sat in the east stand, and while I did not witness the throwing of a banana at the feet of the Dutch substitute Jimmy Hasselbaink, I did hear the mocking grunts made whenever he lost possession of the ball.
I would urge the FAI to consider ways to tackle such behaviour (for example, placing more stewards in the stands and ejecting those responsible for racist slurs).
Sadly, it is not Ireland's victory that made the day most memorable for me, but the contrast between a well mannered Dutch crowd and a handful of low-life elements who purport to be Irish soccer supporters. - Yours, etc.,
Owen Shanley, Killiney, Co Dublin.