The body representing thousands of Scottish police officers has expressed 'deep concerns' that officers were left 'petrified' following fan violence at a Scottish Cup tie earlier this year. The Scottish Police Federation is calling for the implementation of an SFA report into the disorder at the Rangers vs Celtic match at Ibrox in March.
Officers 'genuinely scared'
David Kennedy, General Secretary of the Scottish Police Federation, said: 'It is deeply concerning that experienced police officers have described feeling genuinely scared while carrying out their duties. No officer should ever feel that their personal safety is at such risk simply for policing a football match.'
The review by UEFA security expert Mark Blackbourne slammed 'life-threatening violence' during a pitch invasion, with officers described as being 'petrified' at the prospect of policing another match at Ibrox. Kennedy added: 'What is important now is that Police Scotland, the Scottish FA and both football clubs work together to learn the lessons from these events and implement the necessary changes.'
Pitch invasion and violence
The disorder followed the March match, which Celtic won on penalties. Members of the Celtic fan group the Green Brigade forced entry without tickets. A pitch invasion by Celtic supporters prompted a counter-invasion by Rangers fans. Rival supporters clashed on the field, assaulting police, stewards, and players, and throwing flares.
Blackbourne's report stated: 'On the pitch: the confrontation between both sets of supporters, with masked home fans armed with poles and reinforced gloves, came within a very small margin of becoming a violent mass confrontation.' He noted that the four minutes and 28 seconds it took to establish control was a period in which 'violent serious, potentially life-threatening violence was possible.'
Calls for points deductions
Former SFA Chief Executive Gordon Smith suggested that clubs should be docked points or forfeit games if fans invade pitches. He said: 'I think the fans should be told that invasion of the pitch would change the result of the match. In a league game they lose points, if it is a cup game they are put out the cup even though they might win.'
Smith also criticised the decision to allow 8,000 away fans at the cup game, calling for reduced allocations similar to league matches. He said: 'It was a mistake to allow that. We need to get to the same figures as the league are doing.'
Police response
Police Scotland has made 37 arrests in connection with the disorder. Chief Superintendent Rhona Fraser of the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents welcomed the report, saying: 'Whilst sanctions against clubs should be a last resort, they must be swiftly implemented and sufficiently powerful to punish those offenders who bring shame on the national game.'
Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Alan Waddell said: 'We will continue to engage with the clubs and football authorities on the recommendations contained in the report.'
