Arrested Development

Tues, March 31st 2009

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It has been confirmed that four men have been charged with disorderly behaviour following trouble before Norn Iron's game against Poland.

Initially nine people had been arrested but five were later released after trouble at the Wetherspoon's bar on Bedford Street. It is estimated there was thousands of pounds worth of damage to the bar and the premises were forced to close.

Police have blamed this incident for the trouble later in the day at the bottom of Tate's Avenue where riot police were pelted with fireworks and bottles were thrown between the two sets of fans. Polish fans were also kept inside the ground for nearly an hour after the match with 11 police officers and a number of fans injured during the altercations.

The four who have been charged will appear at Belfast Magistrates Court today with the possibility of further arrests once CCTV footage from around the area has been examined.

Needless to say the trouble affected everyone in one way or another, including the sale of the latest Happy Days around the ground before kick off. If you didn't manage to grab a copy because of the melee, rest assured Happy Days will be on sale on Wednesday before the game around some of the popular drinking holes and around Windsor Park itself.

Alternatively, you can grab your copy at any good newsagent.

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