Northern Ireland

Two men charged after eyeballs thrown onto football pitch

Co Derry-born striker Dean Shiels has been capped 14 times for Northern Ireland
Co Derry-born striker Dean Shiels has been capped 14 times for Northern Ireland Co Derry-born striker Dean Shiels has been capped 14 times for Northern Ireland

Two men have been charged after fake eyeballs were thrown onto the pitch during a football match involving a player with one eye.

Police launched an investigation following the incident at the game between Dunfermline Athletic FC and Falkirk FC on January 2, in which Dean Shiels was playing.

The Northern Irishman had his right eye removed in 2006 after losing sight in one eye in a domestic accident when he was eight years old.

He made 14 appearances for his country and has played for clubs including Rangers, Hibernian and Kilmarnock.

Police said two men, aged 20 and 21, have been charged under the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act and will now be reported to the Procurator Fiscal.

Falkirk FC issued an apology following the incident at East End Park in Dunfermline.

Officers continue to investigate the matter and urged anyone with information to contact them.

Inspector Ian Flynn from Dunfermline Police Station said: "While two people have now been charged, we are looking to trace others who may have been involved and would ask those with information to contact Dunfermline Police Station via 101 and quote incident number 3022 of the 4th January."