Police confront Glentoran supporters in the North Stand at Windsor Park

Linfield chairman Jim Kerr has slammed a "small minority" of fans who caused trouble during his club's Boxing Day clash with Glentoran at Windsor Park.

"A very small section of Glentoran fans started causing trouble but thankfully they did not succeed in their aim of getting the match stopped," he claimed.

"Our own fans and the vast majority of Glens supporters behaved impeccably and I want to pay tribute to them.

"These people are not football fans and have no place in local football."

About 30 to 40 of the Glentoran supporters housed in the North Stand moved towards Linfield supporters during the second half of Friday's match.

Missiles, including bottles, fireworks and seats were thrown onto the pitch and in the direction of the home supporters in the Kop Stand as stewards struggled to control the situation.

A few Linfield supporters also threw missiles towards the Glens supporters in the North Stand as the trouble threatened to spiral out of control.

Play was held up for around seven minutes while police in riot gear restored order.

"It is a pity that a few supporters spoiled it for everyone and I know the Glentoran directors are gutted," added Kerr.

"I feel for their chairman as we have had a hooligan element who have tried to cause trouble in the past.

"I felt the police were a little slow in reacting to the situation as, when the riot police appeared, those who were causing the trouble were quickly on the retreat.

"But that is a matter for the police and the officer in charge at the game.

"Apparently the police cannot go into such a situation without donning their riot gear and I understand that is what they were doing."

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