BANGOR City and Rhyl could be forced to play their games behind closed doors after violence between rival fans brought shame on Welsh football this week.

However, the Welsh Premier League are keen to avoid such a severe punishment and may instead opt to have early kick-offs in clashes between the two teams.

And fans involved in the fighting which broke out during Rhyl’s 2-0 victory over Bangor at Farrar Road on Tuesday are set to be banned from football grounds.

The FA of Wales are investigating Tuesday’s match – which saw unbeaten Rhyl regain the top spot – after 50 fans clashed during the game.

Asked whether the teams should play behind closed doors in future, league secretary John Deakin said: “I don’t think we’re at that particular point yet Given the fact this is the first time I can recall serious trouble at a game between these two sides.

“But I don’t think we can accept the situation where we stage a match under the jurisdiction of the Welsh Premier League where members of the public are put at risk.

“I’ve watched some footage of what occurred at Farrar Road and there’s some quite young people there. It’s a bit of a concern.

“What we want to do is attract families to our grounds, but if those sorts of things are going to happen that’s not going to be the case.

“In other competitions over the years there have been games behind closed doors and games where no away supporters are not allowed in, but in the future we’ll probably have to look carefully at kick-off times.”

The teams next face each other in a Welsh Cup game in January.

Deakin added: “I’ve been talking to Bangor this morning regarding the forthcoming Welsh Cup game against Rhyl on January 31.

“Bangor are of the opinion that it may be best to kick off at midday. I don’t know whether drink was a factor the other night but if we were to kick off at midday I think that might give us the best opportunity of the match proceeding without any scenes of this sort.”

Bangor have a £5,000 suspended fine hanging over them following a pitch invasion after the Welsh Cup final win over Llanelli at Newtown in May.

Deakin said he hoped some of the offenders from Tuesday night could be identified, and said they ought to be banned from future matches.

“I do hope we are able to identify some people who were involved. There was recently a banning order imposed from the Welsh Cup final where an individual was banned from all grounds for three years.

“I feel that was a positive step and I think anyone who misbehaves in football grounds should receive similar treatment.”