Football clubs urged to hold gangs behind violence to account

Politicians have called on Derry City and Bohemians football clubs to hold rival gangs involved in Friday night’s violence in Londonderry to account.

A teenage boy and a man in his 20s needed hospital treatment for injuries after clashes outside the Ryan McBride Brandywell stadium.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) are trying to identify those involved in the violence on the Lecky Road and Lone Moor Road, which they believe was “pre-arranged”.

Two large groups attacked each other with sticks, bats and iron bars and caused damaged cars and property.

Further disorder also continued during and after the match, which had to be stopped at one point after a flare set fire to the pitch.

Footage on social media also shows fans ducking and running as fireworks explode around them.

Sinn Féin MLA Ciara Ferguson told BBC Radio Foyle’s North West Today programme: “The clubs need to hold these young people to account.”

She said the priority now was to identify those who orchestrated and carried out the violence and bring them to justice.

“We saw masked youths armed with weapons fighting on the street and then turning on the PSNI,” she said.

“It was just terrifying for local residents, including children, who witnessed these events but, ultimately, any footage that is available needs to be sent to the PSNI.”

SDLP MLA Mark H. Durkan, who was at the match, said it was “imperative” that both clubs meet and take measures to ensure there is no repeat of the violence.

He described the scenes outside the stadium as “disgraceful” and “deeply upsetting” for local people and “genuine supporters”.

“Many of them were leaving early, they were afraid,” he said.

“I’ve never experienced an atmosphere like it at the Brandywell or at any football match anywhere.”

He said there was no place for violence or intimidation at a football match and described those involved as “thugs” and “hangers-on”.

DUP MP for East Londonderry, Gregory Campbell, said the violence raised questions about future policing at Brandywell stadium, where the PSNI do not have a regular presence inside.

“Lessons need to be learned and there needs to be lessons whether or not it’s going to be search and seizure of suspected people en route to the game,” said Campbell.

“This happens very occasionally where people use a football as an excuse for a riot and that’s what appears to have happened on Friday night, so action has to be taken to prevent that.”

The BBC has approached Derry City and Bohemians for comment.