Nine officers and child injured in disorder before football match

A 19-year-old man has been arrested after nine police officers were injured and a child was hit by a bottle before a football match in south Belfast on Friday night.

It happened during an approved public procession ahead of the match, which involved about 250 people.

Police said they saw "provocative conduct and the heavy use of pyrotechnics and fireworks - despite various warnings being issued against this".

'Unacceptable behaviour from a proportion of fans'

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) South Belfast District Commander, Supt Fiona Dornan said the majority of football fans attending Friday evening's match behaved in a "peaceful" manner but a number of people "chose to engage disorderly behaviour and provocative conduct".

"There was completely unacceptable behaviour from a proportion of fans both before and after the match, at what should have been an enjoyable and safe event for all attending," she said, in a statement.

"Police will not tolerate disorder or criminal behaviour of any kind and, as always, we will continue to work with football clubs to address any inappropriate behaviour linked to people attending matches and ensure that the local community is kept safe.

"We will therefore be conducting a thorough evidence-gathering operation in the wake of last night's occurrences."

The man was arrested on suspicion of riotous behaviour, doing a provocative act, possession of fireworks/flares at a regulated match, indecent behaviour and attempted criminal damage.

He remains in police custody at this time.

Two other people were also reported for offences including the use of flares.