THREE people have been charged following a loyalist flag protest at Seaview football grounds which forced the postponement of a Danske Bank Premiership game on Saturday afternoon.
A small number of protestors gathered at the north Belfast venue on the Shore Road ahead of the highly anticipated derby between league leaders Cliftonville and second-placed Crusaders.
Officers attempted to move protestors away from a white line picket after 40 minutes to allow fans into the ground.
Scuffles ensued and police said they were attacked with bottles and other missiles.
The game was postponed after it was initially thought it would go ahead with a 20 minute delay.
On Sunday a PSNI spokesman said: “Two men aged 48-years and 47-years and a 21-year-old woman have been charged with public order offences following Saturday’s protest outside the Seaview football ground in Belfast.
“All three are accused of disorderly behaviour and assault on police, while the 47-year-old man is additionally charged with doing a provocative act.
“All three were released on police bail to appear at Belfast Magistrates’ Court on March 13.
“As is normal practice, the charges will be reviewed by the PPS.”
On Saturday, in an earlier statement a PSNI spokesman said: “Police, both clubs and local residents groups have been involved in the planning of this match for a number of weeks before the event and all sides had agreed that the match should go ahead peacefully.
“A small group of people chose to conduct a white line protest at the Crusader’s Football ground. After approximately 40 minutes the protestors were asked to move away from the ground to ensure that fans were able to enter Seaview unhindered.
“Despite intensive efforts by police and football officials to negotiate a peaceful outcome, the protest did not move and as a consequence police had to move the protest to ensure the safety of fans and allow the match to proceed.
“As they did so a number of protestors began to violently resist the police and officers were attacked with bottles and other missiles. Upon learning of the public disorder both clubs advised police that the game would not proceed. This is a regrettable outcome for the clubs, the many genuine fans who wanted to watch the match and indeed the wider North Belfast community.”
The PSNI spokesman added that three arrests were made.
Northern Ireland Secretary of State Theresa Villiers said it is “regrettable that an afternoon of sport was ruined by violent protests”.
“Such behaviour achieved nothing except upset and disruption for fans and local residents who were looking forward to the game.”
“The flag protest which forced the cancellation of this match has nothing to do with football,” the Sinn Féin MLA said.
“The result is frustration for players, staff, fans and all those who had prepared for the game today. Now, instead of reflecting on a derby game featuring the top two teams in the league, we are looking back at a disheartening afternoon for everyone connected with the clubs.
“Crusaders and Cliftonville, while rivals on the pitch, have forged many links in recent years and I trust the events of today will not derail those efforts.
“I hope the game will be rescheduled and go ahead without incident at a later date.”
North Belfast DUP representatives Nigel Dodds MP and Nelson McCausland said the decision was “deeply regrettable”.
“Unfortunately this afternoon’s events have disrupted this good work and spoiled what should have been simply a great top-of-the-table match for football supporters to enjoy. Football is the biggest loser today,” they said in a joint statement.