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Protest causes Crusaders-Cliftonville game to be called off | Protest causes Crusaders-Cliftonville game to be called off |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The Irish Premiership match between Crusaders and Cliftonville was called off on Saturday due to a loyalist protest outside the ground. | The Irish Premiership match between Crusaders and Cliftonville was called off on Saturday due to a loyalist protest outside the ground. |
Police said they were attacked with bottles and other missiles after they began moving protesters at Seaview. Three arrests were made. | Police said they were attacked with bottles and other missiles after they began moving protesters at Seaview. Three arrests were made. |
A small 'white line' protest had been allowed to take place for about 40 minutes. | A small 'white line' protest had been allowed to take place for about 40 minutes. |
Police moved it on to allow fans to get into the north Belfast ground. | Police moved it on to allow fans to get into the north Belfast ground. |
The match was called off at 15:10 GMT because of safety concerns. | The match was called off at 15:10 GMT because of safety concerns. |
Most Cliftonville supporters and many Crusaders fans had been unable to gain access to the stadium. | Most Cliftonville supporters and many Crusaders fans had been unable to gain access to the stadium. |
A police spokesperson said: "Upon learning of the public disorder both clubs advised police that the game would not proceed. | A police spokesperson said: "Upon learning of the public disorder both clubs advised police that the game would not proceed. |
"This is a regrettable outcome for the clubs, the many genuine fans who wanted to watch the match and indeed the wider north Belfast community." | "This is a regrettable outcome for the clubs, the many genuine fans who wanted to watch the match and indeed the wider north Belfast community." |
'Sad day' | 'Sad day' |
Crusaders chairman Stephen Bell said it was "a sad day for football". | Crusaders chairman Stephen Bell said it was "a sad day for football". |
"The football family need to hold together at this difficult time," added Bell. | "The football family need to hold together at this difficult time," added Bell. |
Crusaders manager Stephen Baxter said the situation was "outside of their control". | Crusaders manager Stephen Baxter said the situation was "outside of their control". |
"We were all prepared and ready for this game but we'll just have to get on with it and come back to play it another day," said Mr Baxter. | "We were all prepared and ready for this game but we'll just have to get on with it and come back to play it another day," said Mr Baxter. |
His Cliftonville counterpart Tommy Breslin described the postponement of the match as "disappointing". | His Cliftonville counterpart Tommy Breslin described the postponement of the match as "disappointing". |
"Win, lose or draw, we were just here for a game of football on a Saturday afternoon," he said. | "Win, lose or draw, we were just here for a game of football on a Saturday afternoon," he said. |
"The clubs have co-operated closely in recent years and this will just bring them closer together again." | "The clubs have co-operated closely in recent years and this will just bring them closer together again." |
Sports Minister Carál Ní Chuilín said the protest had nothing to do with football and players and fans had been left frustrated. | |
"Now, instead of reflecting on a derby game featuring the top two teams in the league, we are looking back at a disheartening afternoon for everyone connected with the clubs," she said. | |
"Crusaders and Cliftonville, while rivals on the pitch, have forged many links in recent years and I trust the events of today will not derail those efforts." |