Children flee onto pitch amid disorder at football stadium
Children flee onto pitch amid disorder at football stadium
Emmet McElhatton; Gerry Bradley - BBC News NI Fri, July 17, 2026 at 3:20 PM UTC
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The referee stopped the game for 14 minutes as spectators took to the pitch
Football fans, including young children, fled onto the pitch when trouble flared between rival supporters in the stands during a Europa League match in Londonderry on Thursday night.
During the second half of the fixture, the referee stopped the game at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, and police were deployed.
Local politicians have described the scenes as "disgraceful" and "unacceptable". A senior police officer blamed the "unacceptable and reckless behaviour of a small number of individuals".
European football's governing body, Uefa, said it was investigating both clubs following the trouble and would decide on the matter next week.
Before the clash between Derry City and Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia, trouble flared between rival supporters in Bishop Street, about 15 minutes' walk from the stadium. A police officer was injured.
Later, during the game, some fans - including parents with children - fled onto the pitch when further trouble happened.
Police said they entered the stadium "at the request of Derry City Football Club and in the interests of public safety" and they maintained a heavy police presence in the area for the remainder of the night.
Police Service of Northern Ireland (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.
SDLP MP Colum Eastwood described the incident as "disgraceful" and said his party "will demand answers" from the police about how it was handled.
The PSNI has said it conducted "an appropriate and proportionate policing operation".
"Local policing officers were in the area alongside specialist resources. This included a significant deployment of officers on beat patrols providing reassurance in and around the city centre and city walls."
A police team has been established to investigate disturbances and "bring offenders before the courts".
The Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Grace Uí Niallais, who was at the match, said she was "deeply upset" at what had happened.
"What should have been a celebratory and enjoyable night for supporters, families and young people, was marred by completely unacceptable behaviour by the visiting fans," she said.
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.
'My wee man was in the crowd'
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.
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"My own wee man was in the crowd... I know how [others] felt; I didn't know where he was," he added.
CSKA fans 'hurling abuse'
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.
'I saw sights that I have never seen'
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.
What has Uefa 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 effective 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.
A spokesperson for CSKA Sofia said the club plans to present Uefa with information relating to "the organisation - or lack thereof - concerning security, the conditions, and the overall staging of the football match in Derry by the host club and the Northern Irish authorities".
The club added they condemn "all acts of aggression, inappropriate behaviour, and hooliganism".
The BBC has asked Derry City FC for further comment.
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Crowd trouble mars CSKA Sofia win over Derry City
Source: “AOL Sports”
