Man charged with riotous behaviour after football match disorder

A man has been charged following disorder in south Belfast on Friday.

The disorder, that saw nine police officers injured and a child hit by a bottle, happened before the Irish Cup semi-final at Windsor Park, where Cliftonville lost to Dungannon Swifts and also saw fireworks, flares and bottles thrown.

The 19-year-old man has been charged with riotous behaviour, doing a provocative act, possession of fireworks/flares at a regulated match, indecent behaviour and attempted criminal damage.

He is due to appear before Belfast Magistrates' Court on Friday 1 May.

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

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

The Parades Commission determination had placed conditions on a procession, applied for by some Cliftonville supporters, before it went ahead.