FIFA examines N. Ireland-Poland coin throwing

FIFA said Monday it was examining reports from match officials after a linesman was struck on the head by a coin during Northern Ireland’s World Cup qualifier against Poland in Belfast.

“FIFA are currently reviewing an incident in the World Cup qualifier between Northern Ireland and Poland on Saturday, where a Swedish Assistant Referee was hit by a coin,” world football’s governing body said in a statement e-mailed to AFP.

“FIFA has received a report from the match referee as well as the match commissioner. Following a review of those two respective reports, FIFA will then decide on whether any disciplinary procedures will be opened,” it added.

During the match, a linesman was struck on the head by a missile thrown from the home section of the crowd. The incident held up play for several minutes.

Several football fans and police officers were injured as rival fans clashed before, during and after the match at the Windsor Park ground, with bricks and fireworks among the missiles hurled in the city centre.

Northern Ireland won 3-2, which left them top of Europe zone qualifying group three.