The Scottish Police Federation is calling for new powers that would allow frontline officers to order football hooligans to remove their face coverings, as Scottish clubs face a wave of violence linked to Ultras groups who often wear a uniform of face masks and black tracksuits.
Demand for Demasking Powers
David Kennedy, the federation's boss, said: "We need police officers to have more powers to demask folk. There has been talk about introducing identification through CCTV. But unless you can get someone to take their mask off that's not going to assist."
He added: "More needs to be done to making sure games are safe. The only way you can make them safe is to have police officers at them. The only way you can do that is to have more police officers."
Police Scotland has about 16,400 officers, almost 1,000 fewer than when the force was formed in 2013.
Government Action Needed
Kennedy said: "Ideally you would want to get to the point where the inside of the ground is a matter for the clubs. You can't do that if people are causing trouble and committing crimes. This is a government issue. We need a standard statutory power that if you are believed to be involved in criminality the police can order you to remove your mask to identify yourself. Failure to do should be an arrestable offence."
Recent Incidents
Scottish football has been hit by a wave of thuggery. Last week the Record reported on a father and son who admitted scarring a St Johnstone fan for life after a match against Dundee. Sean Collins, 57, and his son Liam, 31, set upon Jamie Black at Whites Bar on Provost Road, leaving him with a broken jaw, a fractured eye socket and kneecap injuries. Jamie needed surgery including a facial implant, resulting in 10 months off work.
Last month a man was rushed to hospital after a brawl outside Rangers pub the Bristol Bar in the east end of Glasgow after Rangers beat Celtic 3-0. Inquiries are ongoing.
Two thugs who helped ambush rival football fans in a pub were banned from attending games for two years in June last year. Airdrie Sheriff Court heard how Airdrieonians supporter Cameron Patey "got a buzz" out of causing trouble. Shocking video footage showed bottles being thrown into a bar full of St Johnstone fans. After the brawl, bar manager Scott Rae, 47, said he was lucky to escape injury. Patey, 22, alongside Ryan Lawrence, 29, and Nathan Dunsmore, 26, admitted causing a breach of the peace on January 20, 2024. Patey and Lawrence, who had previous convictions, received the banning orders.
Rival supporters clashed ahead of Aberdeen's Premiership match with Rangers at Pittodrie in January. Footage shows about 50 Rangers fans, dressed in black with some wearing balaclavas, walking towards a police line blocking them from Aberdeen fans. Both sets of fans rushed by officers and clashed, before police regained control. No one was arrested.
Masked football thugs were also involved in a mass brawl outside Gayfield Park, Arbroath, in January during a game between Arbroath and Greenock Morton. Yobs wearing hoods and face coverings can be seen swinging fists and throwing kicks in a social media video of the incident. One teenager was charged.
Most recently, Celtic and Hearts fans clashed in a violent mass brawl outside Parkhead before the league match last weekend. In shocking footage, a woman could be heard screaming as fights broke out between the rival fans. After the game there was an altercation as supporters left the ground. A police officer was assaulted and required hospital treatment. A man, 23, appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court last Monday in connection with the incident.
