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Group 'intent on match trouble' Group 'intent on match trouble'
(about 5 hours later)
A police officer has said he believes a group of Polish fans travelled to Saturday's World Cup qualifier in Belfast intent on causing trouble.A police officer has said he believes a group of Polish fans travelled to Saturday's World Cup qualifier in Belfast intent on causing trouble.
Superintendent Chris Noble said a group of about 150 travelled from outside NI not to watch the match but to "provoke police and the local community".Superintendent Chris Noble said a group of about 150 travelled from outside NI not to watch the match but to "provoke police and the local community".
Four men - all Polish nationals - have been charged with disorderly behaviour and are to appear in court on Monday. Four men - all Polish nationals - have been charged with disorderly behaviour.
Meanwhile, the incident in which a linesman was hit with a coin during the match is being investigating by FIFA.
The Northern Ireland fan who threw it was identified and ejected from the ground at half-time.
A FIFA spokesman said: "FIFA has received a report from the match referee as well as the match commissioner.
"Following a review of those two respective reports, FIFA will then decide on whether any disciplinary procedures will be opened."
Troublemakers
Superintendent Noble was in charge of Saturday's policing operation.Superintendent Noble was in charge of Saturday's policing operation.
"We have very strong information to suggest that there has been a group of troublemakers who travelled from outside Northern Ireland to cause trouble at the ground," Supt Noble said."We have very strong information to suggest that there has been a group of troublemakers who travelled from outside Northern Ireland to cause trouble at the ground," Supt Noble said.
There was about 300 of them who arrived here without tickets, without accommodation, nothing and they were here just intent on causing trouble, people were aware of that Bob Stoker
Meanwhile, a south Belfast councillor has criticised the kickoff time for the game.Meanwhile, a south Belfast councillor has criticised the kickoff time for the game.
Ulster Unionist Bob Stoker said it should have kicked off before 1715 GMT given the potential for trouble.Ulster Unionist Bob Stoker said it should have kicked off before 1715 GMT given the potential for trouble.
"The game should not have been played at a quarter past five on Saturday knowing the potential for trouble and the amount of alcohol that would be taken," Mr Stoker said."The game should not have been played at a quarter past five on Saturday knowing the potential for trouble and the amount of alcohol that would be taken," Mr Stoker said.
"There was about 300 of them who arrived here without tickets, without accommodation, nothing and they were here just intent on causing trouble, people were aware of that."There was about 300 of them who arrived here without tickets, without accommodation, nothing and they were here just intent on causing trouble, people were aware of that.
"The police gave us assurances that steps would be taken to ensure these people wouldn't be allowed near us without tickets - that failed.""The police gave us assurances that steps would be taken to ensure these people wouldn't be allowed near us without tickets - that failed."
Supt Noble said those intent on causing trouble would have done so regardless of when the game kicked off.Supt Noble said those intent on causing trouble would have done so regardless of when the game kicked off.
"We've had matches kicked off at this time and indeed later that haven't had particular difficulties," he said."We've had matches kicked off at this time and indeed later that haven't had particular difficulties," he said.
"So simply focussing on something like the time of kickoff or even access to alcohol, while they're important, they're not the actual causal factors in this.""So simply focussing on something like the time of kickoff or even access to alcohol, while they're important, they're not the actual causal factors in this."
Bar clashBar clash
Before the game, nine people had been arrested, the majority Polish, after trouble at a bar in Bedford Street on Saturday. Five were later released.Before the game, nine people had been arrested, the majority Polish, after trouble at a bar in Bedford Street on Saturday. Five were later released.
Eleven police officers were injured in trouble surrounding the game.Eleven police officers were injured in trouble surrounding the game.
Up to 60 Northern Ireland fans clashed with police at a roundabout at the bottom of Tates Avenue, outside Windsor Park football ground after the game.Up to 60 Northern Ireland fans clashed with police at a roundabout at the bottom of Tates Avenue, outside Windsor Park football ground after the game.
Police blamed some Polish fans for earlier disturbances.Police blamed some Polish fans for earlier disturbances.
They said later attacks on homes occupied by foreign nationals were being treated as "racially motivated".They said later attacks on homes occupied by foreign nationals were being treated as "racially motivated".