Northern Ireland fans spokesman Gary McAllister says supporters received “shameful and totally unacceptable treatment” in Sunday’s Nations League game in Bulgaria which included “being subjected to violent attack”.
The chairman of the Amalgamation of Official Northern Ireland Supporters’ Clubs said fans had been been denied “basic rights of water and toilet facilities” after being locked into their section of the stadium in Plovdiv.
“It also created a serious safety issue. We contacted Irish FA staff, who in turn spoke to the Uefa delegate, and eventually, the gates were opened,” said McAllister.
“Some of our fans were also subjected to violent attack as they made their way back to the city centre, and one fan was hospitalised.”
The Northern Ireland fans spokesman strongly criticised the stewarding and the policing in and around the game, saying that missiles has been thrown at supporters during the match.
“The treatment of Northern Ireland fans, who were well behaved as ever, was in stark contrast to the lack of stewarding of home fans, some of whom repeatedly threw missiles into our sector until midway through the second half,” added McAllister.
“We found the attitude of the police in Plovdiv more difficult as the day progressed, and their decision not to invite the PSNI to Bulgaria was unhelpful.”
McAllister added that Amalgamation of Official Northern Ireland Supporters’ Clubs has informed the Irish FA and PSNI about Sunday’s events.
BBC Sport NI has contacted the Irish FA, Bulgarian Football Union and Uefa for comment in addition to the Bulgarian Police and PSNI.
Bulgaria earned a 1-0 victory in the Plovdiv contest.