Notre Dame Hockey Apologizes for Offensive Tweet

Notre Dame University's men's hockey team faced backlash after issuing a now-deleted tweet advising fans against wearing green or 'Irish' symbols while in Belfast for the Friendship Four tournament. The tweet, part of a 'Know Before You Go' post, listed prohibited items including green clothing, shamrocks, and references to the Fighting Irish, which contradicted the team's special jerseys featuring the word 'Irish'. Following significant criticism on social media, the team apologized, stating the guidelines were posted out of 'an abundance of caution' and were not properly reviewed. They emphasized that the tournament aims to promote unity and sportsmanship. The Friendship Four, which includes teams from Merrimack College, Harvard University, and Boston University, is designed to foster community ties between Belfast and Boston. This incident has sparked discussions about cultural sensitivities and the historical context of Irish and Northern Irish relations.