Belfast hit by riots as rival soccer fans clash

A SENIOR police officer in north Belfast last night appealed to community leaders to calm tensions along a sectarian flashpoint after 200 people clashed following the outcome of the Scottish Premier League football race.

Following Glasgow Rangers dramatic capturing of the title, which had been expected to go to Celtic, violence erupted in the Ardoyne area. A total of 18 police officers were treated for injuries while trying to keep rival factions apart.

A woman officer was partially dragged from a police vehicle and had a bottle smashed over her head.