Nine officers and child injured in disorder before football match
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c62jw8xgv0lo
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c62jw8xgv0lo Nine police officers have been injured and a child was hit by a bottle before a football match in south Belfast on Friday night.
The disorder, which happened before the Irish Cup semi-final at Windsor Park, where Cliftonville lost to Dungannon Swifts, saw fireworks, flares and bottles thrown. A 19-year-old man has been arrested.
It happened during an approved public procession ahead of the match, which involved about 250 people.
Police said most people behaved peacefully but they saw "provocative conduct and the heavy use of pyrotechnics and fireworks - despite various warnings being issued against this".
The Parades Commission determination had placed conditions on a procession, applied for by some Cliftonville supporters,, external before it went ahead.
'Besmirched the good name of the club'
Jim Boyce, Honorary Life President of the IFA and patron of Cliftonville F.C said he was "disgusted" by the behaviour seen on Friday night.
"I have been at Cliftonville for 75 years and have had a lot of messages from good Cliftonville fans who are disgusted that a small element has, once again, besmirched the good name of the club," he told BBC News NI.
A white haired man in a black overcoat
Image caption,
Jim Boyce says it is a small element of people who are causing problems
"I haven't missed a game this year and watch them every Saturday. Once we get to a final or semi-final there is an element that comes out and causes problems for Cliftonville FC," he added.
"They're doing it in the name of Cliftonville FC but they aren't supporters. The next couple of games we play they won't be there.
"I would appeal to them to stay away as they aren't true supporters," he added.
'Unacceptable behaviour' before and after match
Police said there was "completely unacceptable behaviour from a proportion of fans both before and after the match"
Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) South Belfast District Commander, Supt Fiona Dornan said the majority of football fans attending Friday evening's match behaved in a "peaceful" manner but a number of people "chose to engage disorderly behaviour and provocative conduct".
Police said most fans behaved in a peaceful manner at the pre-match procession
"There was completely unacceptable behaviour 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 behaviour 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 riotous behaviour, doing a provocative act, possession of fireworks/flares at a regulated match, indecent behaviour and attempted criminal damage.
He remains in police custody at this time.
Two other people were also reported for offences including the use of flares.
There were a number of potential breaches of the Parades Commission determinations in relation to the procession, which will now be investigated, police said.