Derry exit Europa League amid crowd trouble from CSKA
Derry City lost 2-1 to CSKA Sofia in a Europa League match that was interrupted by crowd violence. Bulgarian supporters attacked stewards and home fans, leading to a 15-minute delay before the game resumed.
Why it matters
The incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding fan safety and hooliganism in European football competitions.
Derry City's Europa League clash against CSKA Sofia was marred by ugly scenes, at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.
Some Bulgarian supporters charged the home fans minutes after Ellis Chapman had given the Candystripes the lead, but after a 15 minute delay, the tie restarted and Sofia in the end secured a narrow 2-1 win.
Goals from Ioannis Pittas and Mohamed Brahimi sealed the come from behind win over to progress to the next round, while Derry must get ready for next week's Europa Conference League clash against HNK Rijeka, in Croatia.
Derry went close to breaking the deadlock on 11 minutes as a good run and cross down the left by Kevin Dos Santos ended with his low centre finding an unmarked Adam O'Reilly at the back post, but the midfielder, while on the stretch, couldn't get the ball on target from close range.
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