Uefa sanctions Derry City and CSKA Sofia after Brandywell crowd trouble and Nazi salutes

Match marred by crowd violence

The Europa League first qualifying round second leg between Derry City and CSKA Sofia at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium on 16 July was halted for 14 minutes in the second half after trouble flared both before and during the match. CSKA Sofia won 2-1, sealing a 5-3 aggregate victory and ending Tiernan Lynch's side's European campaign. Objects were thrown onto the pitch, a Derry City supporter invaded the field and approached the CSKA goalkeeper before being returned to the stand by security, and visiting fans were observed making Nazi salutes. Police were deployed to the stadium as fans, including young children, fled onto the pitch to escape confrontations in the stands. Uefa later confirmed that video evidence showed "racist and/or discriminatory" behaviour by CSKA supporters. The governing body's appeals body announced the sanctions on 21 July.

UEFA sanctions CSKA Sofia

Uefa banned CSKA Sofia from bringing away supporters to their next European fixture, the qualifier against Qarabag in Azerbaijan on 21 July. A further one-match away supporter ban was suspended for a probationary period of two years, meaning the Bulgarian club avoided an immediate second away game ban despite the video evidence. CSKA were fined a total of €55,000, with €5,000 of that sum specifically for a staff member who violated "basic rules of decent conduct" during the match. The club was also ordered to reach a settlement with Derry City within 30 days to cover the cost of damaged seats at the Brandywell.

Derry City penalised

Derry City were fined €20,000 for what Uefa described as the "effective invasion of the field of play by its supporters, crowd disturbances and throwing of objects". The governing body also imposed a partial closure of the Brandywell's North Stand for one European fixture, but that sanction was suspended for a two-year probationary period. In a statement, the club accepted that its own supporters had thrown objects and that one fan had entered the field and approached the CSKA goalkeeper. Derry said an investigation is underway to identify those involved, with the possibility of lifetime bans from the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.

While Derry City FC complained to UEFA about the aggressive and intimidatory behaviour of the CSKA Sofia supporters, the club accepted that its own supporters had thrown objects onto the field of play and that one of its supporters had entered the field of play and approached the CSKA goalkeeper, before being returned to the stand by security personnel.

Derry City FC fully accepts the decision of the Uefa appeals body. Derry City FC is committed to taking all necessary steps to ensure that home matches are played in an environment that is safe for players and supporters alike.

Club reactions and next steps

Derry City vowed to sanction any supporters identified in the investigation, with the club stating that appropriate steps could include lifetime bans. CSKA Sofia apologised for the damage caused by its supporters and agreed to cover the remediation costs. The Irish club confirmed it is liaising with CSKA on the matter. The sanctions take immediate effect, with CSKA's away fan ban applying to Thursday's match in Azerbaijan.