Riot police called to Belfast derby

Football officials in the North tonight pledged to combat hooliganism after riot police had to restore order when violence broke out at a St Stephen's Day derby.

The scenes forced a temporary halt to the Linfield and Glentoran match at Belfast’s Windsor Park.

At the height of the disturbances 20 minutes before the final whistle, seats were torn out and hurled on to the pitch as a number of Glentoran fans tried to attack rival supporters.

Riot police eventually arrived at the ground and forced troublemakers back, but there were concerns that the violence should have been ended more swiftly.

Prior to the arrival of the security forces, stewards struggled to prevent the violence escalating.

A police spokesman said: “Police were called in to restore order after a match between Linfield and Glentoran in Windsor Park was suspended for a short while this afternoon.

“Supporters set off flares and fireworks and threw seats on to the pitch. A man was cautioned by police.”

Play resumed after about 10 minutes of violence and Linfield won the game 3-0.

Linfield chairman Jim Kerr said he had received no reports of any incident involving Linfield supporters, and he said the vast majority of Glentoran fans had nothing to do with the violence.

Mr Kerr said both clubs had worked hard to remove violent elements from their supporters, but said those intent on violence could not be allowed to ruin events for others.

He said: “I sympathise with the Glentoran chairman because I feel for him because we have had difficulty in the past and I can understand.

“I think both clubs will work together to eliminate the hooligan element you will always get a big game like this.”