Known football hooligans, some with links to hardline loyalists, are believed to have been targeting the UEFA Cup match between Glasgow Rangers and Shelbourne which was due to have been played in Tolka Park, Dublin next Wednesday.
Shelbourne announced yesterday that the match would not now be played in Dublin though the Garda insisted it had been prepared to police it.
In a statement, Shelbourne's secretary, Mr Ollie Byrne, said the club had taken the decision reluctantly "in the light of adverse publicity surrounding this tie in recent days".
It is believed that British police informed the Garda on Tuesday of a number of hooligans planning to travel to Dublin.
British fascist groups such as Combat 18 are known to target football matches. Flags for Combat 18 have been seen at matches in Northern Ireland. The group, believed to have approximately 200 members, was set up in 1992, and was blamed for organising the Lansdowne riot in 1995. Club officials will meet the UEFA authorities this morning to discuss an alternative venue.
