Edwin Poots says residents ‘may have to block road’ to stop Cliftonville fans getting to Windsor Park

Assembly speaker Edwin Poots has said that local residents may have to block the road to ensure that Cliftonville FC supporters are unable to access Windsor Park following disorder on Friday.

The DUP MLA for South Belfast made the comments in response to unrest which broke out on Friday night ahead of Cliftonville’s match against Dungannon Swifts.

A fan parade of around 200 supporters, which was approved by the Parades Commission, resulted in fireworks and bottles being thrown ahead of the Irish Cup semi-final at Windsor Park.

Read more: Nine police officers injured and child struck by bottle in disorder before Irish Cup semi-final in Belfast

The disorder saw nine police officers injured and a child hit by a bottle.

A 19-year-old man has been charged with a number of offences, including riotous behaviour.

On Monday, Mr Poots said that local residents were “hugely angry” but added that it was “not something new”.

Disorder also broke out in the area during last year’s final.

“We have been engaging with the police over the past two years,” he told the BBC.

“The last time Cliftonville came to Windsor Park there was complaints that the police were too heavy handed and that they were too restrictive to the Cliftonville football supporters.”

Mr Poots added that for “some bizarre reason” the policing effort was reduced on Friday and that the locals were “not going to accept” the behaviour anymore.

“On this occasion, they let off fireworks, they threw bottles, they threw eggs, they chanted IRA slogans and sang sectarian songs,” he said.

“I’ll make it very clear: the local community are not going to accept it anymore.

“If that involves them having to come out and sit on the road in large numbers and ensure that these people will not be able to access Windsor Park, that’s what’s going to happen.”

Former IFA President and patron of Cliftonville FC, Jim Boyce said he, along with many of the club’s fans, were “absolutely disgusted” by the behaviour.

Mr Boyce said that he didn’t think people sitting on the street is “going to be the answer” and noted that he found some of Mr Poots’ comments “a little bit disturbing”.

The PSNI has said that they will “not tolerate disorder or criminal behaviour of any kind” and noted that they 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”.

“The vast majority of fans were there to enjoy the match, however, 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,” a spokesperson added.

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