Investigation under way after disorder at football stadium

July 17, 2026 No Comments

Police intervene amid disorder at Derry City’s Brandywell StadiumImage source, Stephen McCarthy/Getty ImagesImage caption, CSKA fans are seen trying to enter the Derry City stand during the troubleByEmmet McElhatton and Gerry Bradley, BBC News NIPublished16 July 2026Updated 48 minutes agoPolice were deployed into the stands at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium after disorder broke out during a match between Derry City and CSKA Sofia on Thursday.Before the Europa League clash between the home team and Bulgarian side got under way, disorder had broken out between rival supporters in Bishop Street in Londonderry which led to a police officer being injured and taken to hospital.During the second half of the fixture, some fans – including parents with children – fled onto the pitch when further trouble occurred.

The MP for the area Colum Eastwood described the incident as “disgraceful” and reported his party, the SDLP, “will demand answers” from the police about how it was handled.

Shows a man wearing a Derry Citystrip carrying a young girl who is crying. Other fans are in the background. — Image caption,

Derry City fans, including young children, fled onto the pitch when the disorder broke out

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 reported 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.

‘My wee man was in the crowd’

Fans in an L-shaped stand face off. Most wear red and white. Some fans are on the pitch. — Image caption,

The referee stopped the game for 14 minutes as spectators took to the pitch

Tiernan Lynch, Derry City manager, reported 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 reported 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.

CSKA fans ‘hurling abuse’

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

There also appeared to have been drinks thrown.

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

He reported “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 reported his only concern was for Frida’s safety.

‘I saw sights that I have never seen’

Derry City fan Malcolm McCausland also witnessed the incident.

“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 reported security at Brandywell – where there is normally not 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 reported.

In a statement, Derry City Football Club reported 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 MP for the area Colum Eastwood described the incident as “disgraceful” and reported he would “demand answers” from the police about how it was handled.

The BBC has approached CSKA Sofia for comment.

Related topics

Londonderry-Derry
Northern Ireland
Foyle and West

More on this story

Crowd trouble mars CSKA Sofia win over Derry City

✔ today silver rate

✔ 2026 winter olympics

✔ chat gtp

✔ silver rate today

✔ silver rate today live

✔ 2030 winter olympics

Sports

Leave a Reply Cancel reply