Four men have been arrested after a hearse was driven onto a football pitch leading to a game being abandoned on Friday (July 21) night.

A hearse and second car were driven onto a football pitch during half-time of the Dunston UTS v Gateshead friendly at Dunston Football Club on Wellington Road on Friday night, around 8.20pm.

Both did donuts while throwing leaflets onto the pitch. A group of balaclava-clad men fled in the second car, a Subaru, leaving the hearse abandoned on the pitch.

Read more: Club 'deeply saddened' at abandonment of match following pitch incursion by hearse

The game was unable to continue and police launched an investigation.

Now four men have been arrested and are currently in police custody.

Three men – aged 19, 19 and 32 – were arrested on suspicion of affray. Another man – aged 41 – was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit criminal damage.

A spokesperson for Northumbria Police said: “Disorder will not be tolerated in the community, and anyone found to be involved will be dealt with robustly.

“Officers would like to thank members of the public who have come forward to assist the investigation to date. People are also reminded to continue to avoid any speculation online and on social media as enquiries continue.

“Police will remain in the area throughout the weekend – and those with concerns and information are encouraged to speak with an officer on duty.

“Enquiries are ongoing and we would urge anyone with information or footage, who has not yet spoken to police, to get in touch. Your information, no matter how small, could prove vital to our enquiries.

“Anyone with information can speak with an officer on duty, contact police using the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of the Northumbria Police website or call 101 quoting reference number NP-20230721-1154.”

UTS Dunston said on Saturday (July 22) it was "deeply saddened" by the game being abandoned following the bizarre events as some team members launched a fundraiser towards repairing the damaged pitch and barrier.

The club said in a statement: “We are all deeply saddened at the events that took place last night.

“Thankfully nobody was physically hurt or injured.

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“The club would like to put on record that one individual named on the leaflets distributed during the pitch invasion, have had no connection with Dunston UTS FC, in any official capacity, for over two years.

“The other individual has no connection with our club whatsoever.

“We stress, we are a family-orientated community club and apologise for any distress felt by our supporters and visitors, particularly the younger fans.

“We will be working as hard as ever to repair the damage caused to our pitch and perimeter fencing and look forward to the forthcoming season."