Linfield FC terminates sponsorship deal with convicted sex offender following furious backlash
Earlier this week the club announced it was “delighted” that Mooney’s Butchers had partnered with it for the 2025/26 season.
It also shared a picture of the Shankill Road business’ owner Stephen Mooney posing with a number 4 football top with his shop’s name on it.
“A well known and much-loved local business, Mooney’s has earned a strong reputation across Belfast as one of the city’s top butchers,” the club posted on X.
“Based on the Shankill Road, the Mooney’s brand is recognised for its quality, community spirit and long-standing connection to Linfield FC.”
However, by Saturday morning the club was desperately seeking to distance itself from the business amid condemnation of the partnership with its shamed owner.
Mooney was convicted in 2018 for sexually assaulting a woman.
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The attack took place in a hotel in Belfast city centre and resulted in the perpetrator being fined £750 and ordered to pay his victim £1,000 compensation.
On Friday night, Linfield FC told the Belfast Telegraph it would not be commenting until after its board meets in the middle of next week.
But just hours later the club posted a statement online.
“Linfield Football Club wishes to advise that it has terminated all sponsorship agreements with Mooney’s Butchers, including sponsorship of the Linfield Academy,” it said.
“The club will also be putting measures in place to ensure that all future sponsorship arrangements will be subject to internal vetting procedures.
“In addition the club will be making a donation to a victims related charity and wishes to apologise for any distress caused by this decision.”
Earlier this week, Linfield shared a photo of owner Stephen Mooney posing with a number 4 football top as the club announced it was “delighted” that Mooney’s Butchers had partnered with it for the 2025/26 season
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The bitter row has led to some fans accusing the board of failing to represent the values of the club.
“They haven’t for a long time,” one social media user claimed.
Protests had been planned to oppose the sponsorship with some fans promising to “continuously escalate” pressure on the club to cut ties with Mooneys Butchers.
Many social media users have welcomed the move by the club, but questioned why basic vetting measures were not already in place.
“Really glad we listened to our fans and done the right thing,” one person wrote.
“I’d say most fans will still question who made the decision seeing this was common knowledge for years.”
Another posted: “Well done on moving quickly to correct the damage done to the clubs reputation.
“Though how this slipped through the net given it was common knowledge is beyond me.”
