Two Hospitalised After Pre-Planned Football Fan Disorder in Londonderry

Violent disorder broke out in Derry on Friday evening involving rival football fans outside the Ryan McBride Brandywell stadium before and after a league match between Derry City and Bohemians. Two large groups armed with sticks, bats, and iron bars attacked each other, resulting in injuries to a teenage boy and a man in his 20s, both taken to hospital. The police believe the clashes were pre-arranged and are reviewing footage to identify those involved, urging the public to come forward with information. The disorder caused damage to buildings and vehicles, and fireworks and flares were used, briefly stopping the match. Local officials condemned the violence, emphasizing that the majority of fans were there for football while some came to incite trouble, and called for an end to such dangerous incidents. Police and stadium staff worked together to restore order, but no arrests have been made so far.