Investigation under way after disorder at football stadium

Police were deployed into the stands at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium in Londonderry on Thursday after disorder broke out during a match.

Before the Europa League clash got under way between Derry City and Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia, trouble flared between rival supporters in Bishop Street. A police officer was injured.

During the second half of the fixture, some fans - including parents with children - fled onto the pitch when further trouble happened.

European football's governing body, Uefa, said it was investigating both clubs following the trouble and would decide on the matter next week.

The referee stopped the game for 14 minutes and police entered the stadium "at the request of Derry City Football Club and in the interests of public safety".

PSNI Ch Insp Graeme Craig said police helped "restore calm, meaning that the match could continue to its conclusion".

"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.

Police maintained a heavy police presence in the area for the remainder of the night.

SDLP MP Colum Eastwood described the incident as "disgraceful" and said his party "will demand answers" from the police about how it was handled.

DUP MLA for Foyle Julie Middleton said the scenes were "utterly unacceptable" adding that no family should ever have to flee onto a football pitch.

Tiernan Lynch, Derry City manager, said he had "completely mixed emotions" about the game, which his team lost by a scoreline of two goals to one.

Though proud of his team's performance, he said the occasion was tainted by "bottles being thrown" and scenes that Lynch feared could "get extremely nasty".

Lynch's son was in the stand, which caused him significant concern as he attempted to keep control on the touchline.

"My own wee man was in the crowd... I know how [others] felt; I didn't know where he was," he added.

Video footage of the trouble showed a section of the visiting support trying to get into the home section in the shared Southend Park stand.

SDLP councillor Rory Farrell was at the match with his 10-year-old daughter, Frida.

He said "things turned a lot more sinister", when Derry City scored.

"They [CSKA fans] were hurling abuse, they were hurling objects, they were baying for blood, they were trying to force themselves through the barriers," he told BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme.

"I was looking at it, she was looking at it, everybody in that part of the stadium was just focused on what was happening."

He said his only concern was for Frida's safety.

Derry City fan Malcolm McCausland also witnessed the trouble.

"Shortly after Derry scored, we witnessed an invasion of the Derry stand," he told BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme.

"I saw sights that I have never seen at a football match before."

He said security at Brandywell - where there is not normally a police presence - would have to be reviewed in light of the trouble.

"A bunch of men and women in hi-vis jackets are not equipped to deal with this," he said.

The governing body of football in Europe, Uefa, said it was investigating the role of both clubs during the events at the stadium.

It said charges against CSKA Sofia include damage to the stadium, throwing objects, racist and/or discriminatory behaviour, crowd disturbances and violating decent behaviour.

Charges against Derry City include effect invasion of the field of play, throwing objects, crowd disturbances and insufficient protection of the playing area against intruders.

In a statement, Derry City Football Club said it "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," it added.

The BBC has approached CSKA Sofia for comment.