Derry City have been handed a suspended partial closure of Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium by UEFA following fan disturbances during their Europa League match against CSKA Sofia on 16 July. The punishment includes a €20,000 fine, while the Bulgarian side face stricter sanctions, including a ban on away supporters for their next European fixture.
What happened during the match?
The game, which Derry lost 2-1, was halted for 14 minutes as fans, including young children, spilled onto the pitch to avoid confrontations in the stands. Police were deployed to manage the situation, and the club has since launched an investigation to identify those involved. Derry City, currently second in the Premier Division with 63 points (18W-9D-9L) and a recent form of WWWWD, fully accepted the punishment while reiterating their commitment to safety.
Why did UEFA impose these sanctions?
UEFA ruled that both clubs failed to control their supporters, with CSKA Sofia facing additional fines of €55,000 and a settlement for stadium damage. Derry City’s statement emphasized their complaint about the aggressive behavior of visiting fans but acknowledged their own responsibility. The club has warned of potential lifetime bans for identified troublemakers.
What’s next for Derry City?
The Candystripes return to European action on Thursday (19:45 BST) when they travel to face HNK Rijeka in the Conference League second qualifying round. With a title race heating up-just three points behind leaders Shamrock Rovers-Derry will aim to refocus after a 5-0 winning streak in domestic play, including a 1-0 victory over Shamrock Rovers on 31 January.
