The Uefa Appeals Body has handed Derry City a suspended partial closure of the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, which will remain in effect for a two-year probationary term. This disciplinary action follows significant unrest involving opposing fan groups during the club’s Europa League fixture against CSKA Sofia on July 16.
During the match, which resulted in a 2-1 defeat for Tiernan Lynch’s squad, the game was delayed for 14 minutes. Spectators, including minors, were forced to enter the field of play to escape disturbances within the seating areas. Police were required to intervene at the venue to maintain order.
Derry City faces a 20,000 euro fine for their role in the events. Meanwhile, CSKA Sofia is prohibited from selling tickets to traveling fans for their subsequent European match, with an additional one-game ban suspended for two years. The Bulgarian club must also pay 55,000 euro in fines and provide compensation for damages sustained at the stadium.
In a formal statement, Derry City acknowledged their penalty while noting they had reported the aggressive conduct of the visiting supporters to Uefa. The club is currently investigating its own fanbase to identify those responsible for the disorder, stating that perpetrators may face lifetime bans from the stadium. Furthermore, CSKA Sofia has expressed regret for the property damage and committed to settling the repair costs.
