Police intervene amid disorder at Derry City's Brandywell Stadium

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 6 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 said his party, the SDLP, "will demand answers" from the police about how it was handled.Image source, Stephen McCarthy/Getty ImagesImage caption, Derry City fans, including young children, fled onto the pitch when the disorder broke outThe 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 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.Police maintained a heavy police presence in the area for the remainder of the night.'My wee man was in the crowd' Image caption, The referee stopped the game for 14 minutes as spectators took to the pitchTiernan Lynch, Derry City manager, said he had "completely mixed emotions" about the game, which his team lost by a sco...