Cliftonville fans have had strict limits slapped on them by the Parades Commission, the first time the body has ever placed restrictions on football supporters.

The Reds’ army are under orders ahead of an Irish Cup semi-final fight between Cliftonville and Dungannon Swifts on Good Friday in Windsor Park.

According to a Parades Commission verdict on an application filed by an organisation called “Cliftonville FC Supporters & Red Fanatics”, 150 supporters are planning a 75-minute fan walk before the match gets under way – and red-line boundaries have been placed on what they can do.

It’s the first time the commission has ever restricted a fan procession, with officials pointing to trouble that kicked off at last year’s cup final between the same two teams in the same south Belfast stadium.

placeholder image — Cliftonville fans in the stands of Windsor Park for a cup final match against Coleraine in March 2022. Photo: Andrew McCarroll/ Pacemaker Press

That incident last May saw violence flare at an interface area around Broadway roundabout, leaving eight police officers injured as supporters lobbed bottles at the PSNI – and there were also allegations of pro-IRA chanting that day.

Tomorrow’s event is to see fans walk from Broadway’s junction with the Falls Road along Boucher Road to Windsor Park, a route that will take them past the same interface area roundabout close to the heavily unionist Village area.

The Parades Commission has taken the unusual step of placing controls on it as a result, officials marking it as “sensitive” while confirming this is the first time a fan walk has applied to them by submitting details of its plans in advance.

Restrictions on supporters’ behaviour include that they are not to do anything or display any placards, banners or clothing, that could be seen to be “provocative, threatening, insulting or abusive to any person or group”.

The parade isn’t to have any bands taking part; planned to get under way around 6.30pm, it’s not allowed any undue stops and must “begin and disperse promptly”.

Commission officials add that all participants in the procession must not use words that could be seen as “intentionally sectarian, provocative, threatening, abusive, insulting or lewd”, and have to “behave with due regard for the rights, traditions and feelings of others in the vicinity”.

Acknowledging this is the first time a fan walk has come to the commission, officials note it’s heading to “an important sporting event held at the National Stadium at Windsor Park”.

But they add: “There are sensitivities associated with the parade proceeding on part of the notified route in south Belfast. This is due to the fact that the parade will pass the sensitive interface at the Broadway Roundabout and the Village area.”

Cliftonville FC has been contacted.

Meanwhile the PSNI have warned of traffic problems around Broadway, Boucher Road, the M1, Lisburn Road and Shaftesbury Square on the evening of the match, with “disruption anticipated” from 6.30pm as well as congestion before and after the semi-final.

With Boucher Road a busy retail area, the force has warned shoppers, commuters and football supporters alike to expect congestion, advising them to plan their journeys in advance and leave enough time to travel.

Said a PSNI spokeswoman: “We would ask that those driving to the match park with consideration for local residents and businesses, and that supporters are respectful and considerate.”

The police also reinforced that street drinking is banned in areas around Windsor Park.