Police 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 underway, disorder had broken out between rival supporters in Bishop Street in Londonderry which led to a PSNI 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.
The 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 have maintained a heavy police presence in the area for the remainder of the night.
‘My wee man was in the crowd’
Tiernan Lynch, Derry City manager, said he had “completely mixed emotions” about the game, which his team lost by a scoreline of two goals to one.
Though proud of his team’s performance, the occasion was tainted “bottles being thrown” and scenes that Lynch feared could “get extremely nasty”.
Lynch’s own son was in the stand, which caused him significant concern as he attempted to keep control on the touchline.
“My own wee man was in the crowd… I know how [others] felt; I didn’t know where he was,” he added.
In a statement, Derry City Football Club said it “unequivocally condemns the violence witnessed at tonight’s match”.
“The club is working closely with UEFA, the PSNI, CSKA Sofia and our security partners to establish the full facts surrounding the incidents,” it added.
Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) councillor and Derry FC supporter John Boyle was at the match and described it as a “very distressing thing to see”.
“I can’t get into the mindset of anyone who would attend a football match and behave in that particular fashion,” he told Good Morning Ulster.
“I’ve never seen anything like that in the Brandywell football ground.”
He said: “It was a very fluid situation last night,” but added that it was “brought under control quite quickly”.
