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Fans clash ahead of World Cup tie NI fans hurl petrol bombs at PSNI
(40 minutes later)
Play at a World Cup qualifier in Belfast had to be suspended for five minutes after a linesman was hit with a small object thrown from the crowd. Petrol bombs have been thrown in clashes between football fans and the police after a World Cup qualifier at Windsor Park in Belfast.
Before the game, riot police had to separate Northern Irish and Polish fans outside the football ground. Fireworks, bricks and bottles were thrown. Between 50 and 60 Northern Irish fans have clashed with police at a roundabout at the bottom of Tates Avenue, outside the football ground.
Earlier, nine people were arrested following trouble at a pub on Bedford Street in the city centre. During the game play was suspended for five minutes after a linesman was hit with an object thrown from the crowd.
The pub has closed, considerable damage having been caused. Before the game, riot police had to separate NI and Polish fans.
Fireworks, bricks and bottles were thrown between the two sets of fans outside the football ground.
The trouble started in the city centre shortly before 1500 on Saturday when Northern Irish and Polish fans gathered in the same pub on Bedford Street.
Clashes broke out between fans along the route to the matchClashes broke out between fans along the route to the match
Police said the majority of those arrested were Polish. The pub was closed, considerable damage having been caused. Nine people were arrested following the trouble.
Police said the majority of them were Polish.
It is understood that several people have been injured during the disturbances.It is understood that several people have been injured during the disturbances.
Riot police in armoured land rovers were deployed at Tates Avenue as fans made their way to the Windsor Park football ground. Riot police in armoured land rovers were deployed at Tates Avenue on Saturday afternoon as fans made their way to the Windsor Park football ground.
Residents in the area were advised by police to stay indoors.Residents in the area were advised by police to stay indoors.
It is understood the Polish fans are being kept within the football ground until the crowds of Northern Irish fans dissipate.
Damage
A spokesman for the Wetherspoons pub said he understood the trouble at its premises started following an "altercation between a Polish fan and a local".A spokesman for the Wetherspoons pub said he understood the trouble at its premises started following an "altercation between a Polish fan and a local".
He estimated that the damage caused could run into thousands of pounds.He estimated that the damage caused could run into thousands of pounds.
The game kicked-off at 1715 GMT and finished in a 3 - 2 win for Northern Ireland.The game kicked-off at 1715 GMT and finished in a 3 - 2 win for Northern Ireland.
Reports from inside the ground said the crowd was calm, but tense.Reports from inside the ground said the crowd was calm, but tense.