“Individuals with no interest in supporting either team put the safety of genuine supporters at serious risk”
Derry City FC and Bohemian FC have described those behind recent “pre-arranged” gang violence on Friday night as “individuals with no interest in supporting either team”.
The two clubs issued a joint statement condemning violent scenes in Derry before and after the match between the two teams at the Brandywell on Friday evening.
The PSNI said police were made aware of “two large groups of rival football supporters” who were “attacking each other near the Lecky Road flyover with sticks, bats and iron bars” on Friday.
Read more: Police investigating assault on a child following football match brawl
Read more: Derry disorder sees rival football fans attacking each other with ‘bats and iron bars’
In the joint statement, a spokesperson for both clubs said: “Derry City FC and Bohemian FC, on and off the field, from board level right down to our respective fanbases, have enjoyed a fantastic relationship down through the years.
“Both clubs are committed to working together to do everything in our power to protect and strengthen that relationship into the future.
“It is therefore with great regret to both clubs that incidents, before and after our game at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium on Friday night, from individuals with no interest in supporting either team, put the safety of genuine supporters at serious risk.”
The statement continued: “The safety of everyone – supporters, players and staff – is, and will always be, of paramount importance to both clubs.
“For Derry City FC’s part, the club has been working tirelessly over the last couple of days with our matchnight security team to establish the circumstances surrounding the disturbances and to reassess the procedures in place for travelling supporters.
“Both clubs have also been working in tandem with the FAI to agree a way forward that protects all who attend our games and maintains the long-standing and valued relationship between both clubs.”
The spokesperson added: “All parties are very much aware that this is an ongoing investigation. That process must be respected, and therefore neither club will be making any further comment.”
In a statement issued by police on Saturday, PSNI Superintendent William Calderwood issued an appeal for information.
He said: “We believe that the disorder we witnessed on Friday evening was pre-arranged and we will be reviewing all available footage to identify those involved.
“I would ask anyone with information or footage which could assist us with our enquiries to contact officers at Strand Road on 101, quoting reference number 1637 25/07/25. A report can be submitted online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or you can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/. ”
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