Loyalist Linfield take on the Irish Nationalists of Celtic

Loyalist Linfield take on the Irish Nationalists of Celtic

Missiles were thrown onto the pitch as fiercely Loyalist Linfield took on the Irish Nationalist-supported side of Celtic in a football qualifier on Friday.

With riot police watching on, Celtic emerged victorious over the Northern Ireland club after the match in Belfast.

Police made one arrest, a 25-year-old man on suspicion of disorderly behaviour, during the match day operation. 

The fixture was moved from July 11/12 to avoid a clash with Orange Order commemorations at the height of the marching season. 

Missiles were thrown onto the pitch as fiercely Loyalist Linfield took on the Irish Nationalist side of Celtic in a football qualifier on Friday

Missiles were thrown onto the pitch as fiercely Loyalist Linfield took on the Irish Nationalist side of Celtic in a football qualifier on Friday

With riot police watching on, Celtic emerged victorious over the Northern Ireland club after the match in Belfast

With riot police watching on, Celtic emerged victorious over the Northern Ireland club after the match in Belfast

Celtic's Leigh Griffiths holds a glass bottle of Buckfast thrown at him from the stands during the UEFA Champions League Qualifying, Second Round, First Leg match at Windsor Park

Celtic's Leigh Griffiths holds a glass bottle of Buckfast thrown at him from the stands during the UEFA Champions League Qualifying, Second Round, First Leg match at Windsor Park

SECTARIANISM IN SCOTTISH/NORTHERN IRISH FOOTBALL

There is a long history of sectarianism in Scottish and Northern Irish sport.

Support for certain teams is passed from generation to generation.

Linfield's following has historically been drawn from the Protestant loyalist community, particularly in the greater Belfast area. 

Cliftonville, however, are supported by mainly Nationalists.

Meanwhile, Celtic is a Scottish club with a distinct Irish Roman Catholic identity.

Projectiles were thrown at Celtic corner takers Leigh Griffiths and Jonny Hayes from a Linfield section of Windsor Park and, at the final whistle, a number of fans of the home team tried to invade the pitch when Griffiths tied a scarf to the goal posts.

One supporter successfully made it onto the pitch but was quickly ejected as riot police and stewards stepped in. 

While Celtic declined its ticket allocation for the Champions League qualifier, citing security concerns, around 200 Hoops fans secured tickets by other means.

Celtic, a team synonymous with Irish nationalism, refused tickets amid fears there would be trouble among the club's supporters and fans of Linfield, a team with a s trong loyalist support base, during a week that also witnessed key events in the Protestant loyal order marching season in Northern Ireland.

Police officers lead away a Linfield fan who ran on to the pitch following the match

Police officers lead away a Linfield fan who ran on to the pitch following the match

While Celtic declined its ticket allocation for the Champions League qualifier, citing security concerns, around 200 Hoops fans secured tickets by other means

While Celtic declined its ticket allocation for the Champions League qualifier, citing security concerns, around 200 Hoops fans secured tickets by other means

Celtic, a team synonymous with Irish nationalism, refused tickets amid fears there would be trouble among the club's supporters and fans of Linfield, a team with a strong loyalist support base, during a week that also witnessed key events in the Protestant loyal order marching season in Northern Ireland

Celtic, a team synonymous with Irish nationalism, refused tickets amid fears there would be trouble among the club's supporters and fans of Linfield, a team with a strong loyalist support base, during a week that also witnessed key events in the Protestant loyal order marching season in Northern Ireland

Acknowledging the reality that Celtic fans would obtain tickets regardless of their club's stance, especially with so many based in Northern Ireland, hours before kick-off Linfield announced that a section of the ground would be reserved for away supporters.

With Windsor Park just over half full, Linfield were able to allocate a whole stand to the small number of Celtic fans. It meant supporters could enter the ground at opposite ends - a move that minimised opportunities for confrontation. 

News of the late segregation spread on social media ahea d of kick-off.

One Linfield fan who was unaware of the change and tried to enter the ground at the Celtic end was Democratic Unionist Assembly member Jim Wells.

Projectiles were thrown at Celtic corner takers Leigh Griffiths and Jonny Hayes from a Linfield section of Windsor Park and, at the final whistle, a number of fans of the home team tried to invade the pitch when Griffiths tied a scarf to the goal posts

Projectiles were thrown at Celtic corner takers Leigh Griffiths and Jonny Hayes from a Linfield section of Windsor Park and, at the final whistle, a number of fans of the home team tried to invade the pitch when Griffiths tied a scarf to the goal posts

The fixture was moved from July 11/12 to avoid a clash with Orange Order commemorations at the height of the marching season

The fixture was moved from July 11/12 to avoid a clash with Orange Order commemorations at the height of the marching season

Mikael Lustig of Celtic throws his shirt to the small group of Celtic fans

Mikael Lustig of Celtic throws his shirt to the small group of Celtic fans

'I was re-routed,' he joked afterwards. 'They refused to let me into the West Stand as they alleged that I was not a Celtic fan. How did they know - nobody asked me which team I supported? I was in plain clothes as it were.'  

PSNI Superintendent Norman Haslett said: 'I would like to pay tribute to and thank the vast majority of fans from both football clubs who behaved impeccably and enjoyed the football match in Belfast between Linfield and Celtic this afternoon.

'Unfortunately, there were a small number of incidents which police and other relevant authorities will be reviewing in the days to come.' 

PSNI Superintendent Norman Haslett said: 'I would like to pay tribute to and thank the vast majority of fans from both football clubs who behaved impeccably and enjoyed the football match in Belfast between Linfield and Celtic this afternoon'

PSNI Superintendent Norman Haslett said: 'I would like to pay tribute to and thank the vast majority of fans from both football clubs who behaved impeccably and enjoyed the football match in Belfast between Linfield and Celtic this afternoon'

He said: 'Unfortunately, there were a small number of incidents which police and other relevant authorities will be reviewing in the days to come'

He said: 'Unfortunately, there were a small number of incidents which police and other relevant authorities will be reviewing in the days to come'

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