Derry

Hundreds of Derry fans, including women and children, were forced onto the pitch for their own safety after visiting CSKA fans threw missiles towards them.

A PSNI OFFICER was hospitalised following disorder that broke out before Derry City’s game against Bulgaria’s CSKA Sofia.

Derry City faced off against CSKA Sofia in a first round qualifier of the Uefa Europa League.

Derry are out of the competition after losing 2-1 on the night to suffer a 5-3 aggregate defeat.

A significant public safety operation was in place this evening before the fixture at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.

PSNI chief inspector Graeme Craig said that disorder initially broke out between the two sets of supporters in the Bishop Street area of the city before kick-off at around 6.45pm.

A PSNI officer was injured during this disorder and required hospital treatment.

There was then further disorder during the game, as hundreds of Derry fans, including women and children, were forced onto the pitch for their own safety after visiting CSKA fans threw missiles towards them.

The match was delayed for almost 15 minutes after Ellis Chapman drew Derry level.

Craig said that at the request of Derry City, and in the “interests of public safety, police officers were deployed inside the stadium to manage the situation and restore calm”.

He added that it was “disappointing that an important and high-profile European sporting fixture should be disrupted in such a manner” and that “all right-thinking football supporters will join me in condemning such behaviour”.

“We have seen a vibrant and excited mood in the city throughout the day,” said Craig.

“Regrettably, this evening we have witnessed families and young children seeking refuge on the pitch because of the unacceptable and reckless behaviour of a small number of individuals.”

He added that there will be a continued police presence in the area tonight.

The PSNI has also established a public order enquiry team to investigate tonight’s disturbances and Craig said the PSNI “will be reviewing all available footage to identify and arrest those individuals involved”.