On November 26, 2025, the grassroots football community in Belfast was rocked by an incident that left parents, coaches, and league officials reeling—a youth football coach, responsible for guiding children under the age of eight, was removed from his club and barred from league activities after mistakenly posting what appeared to be a drugs menu in a WhatsApp group chat. The message, which included a detailed price list for drugs such as cocaine, meet-up locations, and a warning that "time wasters will be blocked," was sent to a group chat used exclusively by coaches for arranging match fixtures. The chat, comprising about 400 coaches from 300 clubs across Northern Ireland, did not include any children, but the shockwaves from the post were immediate and widespread.
According to BBC News NI, the coach, who was affiliated with a club in west Belfast, shared the image early that morning. The message was deleted soon after it was posted, but not before other coaches saw its contents. The WhatsApp group was strictly for logistical communication—sharing information about who each team would play, when, and where. While the children themselves were not exposed to the message, the mere presence of such content in a youth sports environment was enough to prompt swift and decisive action.
Within hours, the coach was permanently removed from his position at the club. In a statement posted on social media, the club was unequivocal: "This type of behaviour is completely unacceptable within our club." The statement went on to emphasize that all appropriate vetting procedures had been followed in accordance with Irish Football Association (IFA) guidelines and called the situation "a shock." The club reiterated its commitment to putting "the best interests of players first," adding that the matter was being treated with "the utmost urgency." (BBC News NI)
The FonaCab Development League, which oversees 300 grassroots clubs throughout Northern Ireland, also moved quickly. In a public statement, the league confirmed it had acted immediately to remove the coach from any league involvement and had notified the relevant safeguarding personnel. The league's response was measured, but clear: "As a development league, we do not employ coaches and therefore cannot sack anyone. We have already informed the relevant club from west Belfast involved and our safeguarding procedures have been activated, with the coach removed from the fixtures group. The matter is now being dealt through the appropriate channels," a spokesman told the Belfast Telegraph.
Internal communications within the team, as reported by the Belfast Telegraph, saw a senior figure recognize the act as "completely unacceptable." The league further clarified its stance in a statement shared on social media: "Any involvement in promotion or association with illegal activity has no place whatsoever in this league, in our coaching groups or around young players." This message was echoed in the league's broader communication to clubs and coaches, underlining their "clear expectations of behaviour" and the league's "responsibility to protect the wellbeing of every child and uphold the values the League is built on."
While the WhatsApp group chat was not accessible to players or parents, the incident raised pressing questions about safeguarding, professional conduct, and the limits of oversight in youth sports. The FonaCab Development League acknowledged the practical challenges of monitoring digital communications between hundreds of coaches. "As a League, we cannot monitor or control every message shared between coaches when organising fixtures or availability. However, we do have clear expectations of behaviour, and any conduct that breaches safeguarding or professionalism will be addressed immediately," the league stated. The league also expressed gratitude to "the many coaches who consistently meet those expectations."
From a procedural standpoint, both the club and the league stressed that all necessary vetting had been completed before the coach was allowed to work with children. The Irish Football Association's guidelines require rigorous background checks and regular safeguarding training for anyone involved with youth teams. Despite these measures, the club described the incident as a "shock," highlighting the unpredictable nature of human error and the importance of ongoing vigilance.
The removal of the coach means he will have no further involvement in fixtures, training sessions, or any league venues, according to statements from both the club and the FonaCab Development League. The league's safeguarding personnel have been fully briefed, and the matter is now being handled through appropriate channels, possibly including law enforcement or child protection services, though no further details have been made public as of this writing.
This episode has sparked a wider conversation in Northern Ireland's football community about the responsibilities of adults entrusted with the care and development of young athletes. While the WhatsApp group was intended solely for fixture scheduling, the presence of illegal activity—even inadvertently—has underscored the need for clear boundaries, robust oversight, and a culture of accountability. As one league official put it, "Any involvement in promotion or association with illegal activity has no place whatsoever in this league, in our coaching groups or around young players." (Belfast Telegraph)
Parents and guardians have expressed relief that the message did not reach any children, but many are calling for even stricter rules on digital communication within youth sports organizations. Some have suggested that clubs should provide additional training for coaches on the use of digital platforms, while others argue for more frequent spot checks of group chats and other communication channels. The league, for its part, has reiterated its commitment to child safety and the values that underpin grassroots football: inclusivity, respect, and the well-being of every player.
As the investigation continues, both the club and the league have sought to reassure parents and the wider community that this was an isolated incident, handled with the seriousness it deserved. The decisive actions taken—immediate removal of the coach, notification of safeguarding authorities, and public statements condemning the behavior—reflect the zero-tolerance approach now expected in youth sports. The FonaCab Development League, in particular, has used the moment to thank "the many coaches who consistently meet those expectations," emphasizing that the vast majority of volunteers are committed, responsible, and deeply invested in the welfare of their players.
In the end, while this incident has exposed vulnerabilities in the system, it has also demonstrated the effectiveness of existing safeguards and the community's collective resolve to protect its youngest members. The hope, shared by clubs, leagues, and families alike, is that the lessons learned will lead to even stronger protections—and a renewed focus on the values that make grassroots football such a vital part of life in Northern Ireland.
