Nine police officers were hurt, and a child was struck by a bottle before a football game in south Belfast on Friday night.
Fireworks, flares, and bottles were hurled during the disturbance that occurred prior to Cliftonville’s loss to Dungannon Swifts in the Irish Cup semifinal at Windsor Park. One 19-year-old male has been arrested.
It occurred during a permitted public procession ahead of the match, which drew approximately 250 people.
Police claimed the majority of individuals acted calmly, but they observed “provocative behavior and the heavy use of pyrotechnics and fireworks—despite various warnings being issued against this.”
The Parades Commission imposed requirements on a parade requested by certain Cliftonville supporters before it could go.
According to Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) South Belfast District Commander Supt. Fiona Dornan, the majority of football fans at Friday evening’s match were “peaceful,” but a few “chose to engage in disorderly behavior and provocative conduct.”
“There was completely unacceptable behavior from a proportion of fans both before and after the match, at what should have been an enjoyable and safe event for all attending,” she said, in a statement.
“Police will not tolerate disorder or criminal behavior of any kind, and, as always, we will continue to work with football clubs to address any inappropriate behaviour linked to people attending matches and ensure that the local community is kept safe.
“We will therefore be conducting a thorough evidence-gathering operation in the wake of last night’s occurrences.”
The man was arrested on suspicion of rioting, engaging in a provocative act, possessing fireworks/flares at a regulated match, indecent behavior, and attempting criminal damage.
He is still in police custody at this moment.
Two other people were also charged with crimes such as using flares.
There were a number of probable violations of the Parades Commission determinations during the parade, which will now be investigated, police stated.
