Footage emerges with police called after a shocking brawl between players outside changing rooms following a match in Northern Ireland.
Chaotic scenes played out after the Belfast District Football League cup match between Kelvin Old Boys under 21s and Westland Young Men FC at Mallusk Playing Fields, Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland at around 3pm on Saturday (November 29th).
Fights on the pitch and then footage showing a lone Kelvin Old Boys player being repeatedly punched in the head by several opponents outside the changing rooms.
Kelvin Old Boys claim their player was “jumped” while isolated, and those who tried to help were also assaulted, while a coach also suffered facial injuries.
They said the incident was a “total disgrace” and blamed heavy challenges un-reffed challenges during the game, with the referee admitting the opposing team behaved similarly the week before.
Westland Young Men FC responded by saying via their social media account that the circulating videos do not give an accurate representation of events and promised a full official statement later.
Police (PSNI) have launched an investigation and are appealing for witnesses to the assault at the changing rooms (reference 1381 29/11/25).
Kevin old boys vs westland young men (belfast) pic.twitter.com/r8bvag6tfF
— aney stokes (@VideosIrish) November 29, 2025
Absolutely ridiculous behavior Westland young men attacking kelvin under 21s , look at that vile older man over the railings he should be totally ashamed of himself for that pic.twitter.com/HInwtPiIxd
— wee kels (@KellyMatshall) November 29, 2025
Kelvin Old Boys FC said in a now deleted statement on Facebook: “Today our U21’s took on Westland Young Men in a BDFL Cup game. Despite it being senior men against U21 year old lads the boys put in a fantastic performance and were winning the game.
“The game then started to turn ugly with Westland young men putting in dirty challenges that started to frustrate our lads and also our management team.
“Our management team had words with the ref about the challenges and that things were going to get out of hand if he didn’t start to do something about it, the ref then commented and said it was the same with this team last week.
“What happened next was a total disgrace as some players from the Westland Young Men team started to beat some of our lads , not just at the end of the game but also continued to do so when back at the changing rooms.
“This is an absolute disgrace and no team should get away with this, especially if it’s an ongoing reoccurrence from the same team.
“The club will be taking this further to ensure that our lads are never in a position like this again.”
They added in another post: “We’d like to thank everyone for their support regarding the incident at our U21’s Cup match on Saturday, all your messages of support is greatly appreciated.
“We have taken down the post now from our social media pages as the police are now involved and dealing with the incident.
“Once again thank you all for your support. 💛💙”
Westland Young Men FC said via social media on Saturday: “The committee of Westland YM FC are aware of the videos circulating social media regarding todays match. This is not an accurate representation of todays events.
“The club will make an official statement in due course.”
A spokesperson for PSNI (Police Service of Northern Ireland) said on Sunday: “Police in Newtownabbey are appealing for information in relation to an assault which took place around 3pm yesterday. This followed a football match at Mallusk Playing Fields.
“Anyone who witnessed this assault, which took place at the changing rooms, should contact Police on 101 quoting reference 1381 29/11/25.
“Alternatively, you can submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/.”
On Monday, police informed Belfast Live that no arrests had yet been made in connection with the incident as they continue to appeal for information.
Social media users reacted after footage emerges with police called on a shocking brawl between players outside changing rooms…
@FS101_: It’s a fucking game 🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️
@LeeCotton1: Actual. Grown. Men. 🤦♂️
@GazNI1886: Great advert for football in Northern Ireland (NOT)
@NickPemberton1: Grown men 🤦♂️
@chrisadonnelly: This is appalling.
@buck553: Wtf have we become
@Kings_10: Disgusting behaviour. This is why I hate my passion for this sport, th ugly side which is seen way too often. 2 miles from where I live
@MTB_Cycler: I just don’t understand the mentality of people who play footie, a sport for fun turn it into a battle field. @Uzzell01
@Trevsey65: Hope they all so incredibly proud of themselves!
Abood J-a: Hope the lads are doing well 🙏🏻
Ashleigh Joanne Donaldson: Absolutely shocking hope that young lad is ok
Jim Hughes: Hopefully it gets sorted
