Northern Ireland

Social media video shows Northern Ireland fans crowded together in celebration

Video footage appears to show a group of young men dancing and singing football chants following Northern Ireland's penalty shoot-out victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina
Video footage appears to show a group of young men dancing and singing football chants following Northern Ireland's penalty shoot-out victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina Video footage appears to show a group of young men dancing and singing football chants following Northern Ireland's penalty shoot-out victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina

FOOTAGE has been posted on social media of a group of Northern Ireland football fans apparently breaking social distancing guidelines outside a Belfast bar while celebrating victory on Thursday night.

The team beat Bosnia-Herzegovina in dramatic fashion in a penalty shoot-out to go through to a Euro 2020 play-off final next month.

Northern Ireland will now play Slovakia in Belfast after they defeated the Republic of Ireland on penalties in Bratislava.

The edited video posted online shows a group of young men dancing and singing football chants outside a bar identified by the poster as Lavery's on Bradbury Place in Belfast city centre.

The account holder said: "Not a mask in sight and certainly no signs of anyone adhering to social distancing."

The Irish News could not verify the location or date of the video.

The alleged scenes came on the same day the Executive announced the increase of the £60 fine to £200 for those not wearing a mask - although there is not rule that they need to be worn outdoors.

A new offence for not implementing measures to maintain social distancing is being introduced and will will be punishable on conviction by a fine of up to £10,000 or a fixed penalty notice starting at £1,000 and going up to maximum of £10,000.

The GAA this week suspended all club games across Ireland "in the interest of public safety" following concerns over social distancing at some games and post-match celebrations.

Police are investigating whether there were breaches of Covid-19 regulations at the Derry senior football final in Bellaghy last Sunday, as well as after the Tyrone county final last month when crowds came on the pitch.