Derry City FC and visiting Bulgarian club charged with offences by UEFA after Brandywell fracas
UEFA has opened disiplinary proceedings against Derry City FC and CSKA Sofia following violence at a clash on Thursday night.
The two teams had been playing eachother at the Brandywell Stadium in a UEFA Europa League qualifying match when disorder broke out.
Footage of the game posted online shows a contingent of Bulgarian fans trying to wreck barriers in the stands seperating them from Derry City supporters, as some of the latter flee the stands with their children.
Other footage shows a shirtless Bulgarian fan doing sieg heil salutes while a Derry City fan stands opposite with an Antifa flag (Antifa being a worldwide self-described anti-fascist movement).
Still other footage shows confrontations between Sofia supporters and Derry natives outside the stadium, where the former were escorted by riot police.
The game kicked off at 6.45pm and the disorder forced a 14 minute pause to play during the second half.
Today, UEFA have said “urgent disciplinary proceedings have been instigated” against both clubs.
The charges against Derry City FC are:
"Effective invasion of the field of play”;
"Throwing of objects”;
"Crowd disturbances”;
And “insufficient protection of the playing area against intruders”.
Those against CSKA Sofia are:
"Throwing of objects”;
"Acts of damage caused to the stadium and/or its installations”;
"Crowd disturbances”;
“Racist and/or discriminatory behaviour”;
And "violating the basic rules of decent conduct (staff member)”.
UEFA said it will decide on the matter early next week.
Derry City has said in a statement: “Derry City Football Club unequivocally condemns the violence witnessed at tonight’s match.
"The club is working closely with UEFA, the PSNI, CSKA Sofia and our security partners to establish the full facts surrounding the incidents.
"In the interests of ensuring a thorough investigation, Derry City Football Club will make no further comment until this process has been concluded.”
The PSNI said it had conducted “a significant public safety operation” ahead of the match.
Chief Inspector Graeme Craig said: "Disorder initially broke out between rival football supporters in the Bishop Street area prior to kick-off at around 6.45pm and, unfortunately, one of our officers was injured and required hospital treatment."
During the match, “at the request of Derry City Football Club, and in the interests of public safety, police officers were deployed inside the stadium to manage the situation and restore calm”, adding that footage will be reviewed to “identify and arrest those individuals involved”.
Julie Middleton, DUP MLA for Foyle, said: “Those responsible have no interest in sport. Their reckless behaviour endangered spectators, including children, and those who engaged in this from here have damaged the reputation of Londonderry, whilst those travelling ‘supporters’ are simply not welcome in our city if all they offer is shows of hatred and violence.
"I commend the PSNI and all those involved in restoring order in what were clearly difficult circumstances.”
Sofia won 2-1.