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Belfast Man Bailed as Police Probe 'Drugs Menu' Posted in Youth Coaches' Chat

Safeguarding protocols were triggered by the league after the image appeared in a fixtures group.

Overview

  • Police arrested a man on Thursday in connection with messages about suspected illegal drug supply and released him on bail on Friday to allow further inquiries.
  • The coach involved was permanently removed from his role by his Belfast club and barred from Fonacab Development League venues.
  • League officials notified the coach's club and child protection officers immediately and activated safeguarding procedures.
  • The image, seen by the Press Association before it was deleted, listed cocaine prices, payment methods, meet-up points, and warned that time wasters would be blocked.
  • The WhatsApp group is used by hundreds of adult coaches to arrange youth fixtures, with no children in the chat, and the league says it cannot monitor every message.