Two Rangers supporters have been banned from every football stadium in the UK for their part in the disorder that marred the Scottish Cup Old Firm clash at Ibrox in March. Mackenzie Graham and John Smith were separately caught on camera during the chaotic scenes that erupted after Celtic knocked Rangers out of the competition on penalties.
Pitch invasion and bottle throwing
Graham, 21, from Glasgow, was filmed jumping over a fence and leading a group of supporters onto the pitch, repeatedly encouraging others to join him. Footage shows him wearing all black and leading other Ultras onto the grass while stewards chase them.
Smith, 19, from Peterhead, was captured throwing a bottle into the Celtic support before he was apprehended by police officers in the stands. The disorder came as both sets of supporters stormed onto the pitch at the end of the quarter-final, with police, stewards and players assaulted and flares thrown.
Safety fears and arrests
Other fans, including children and disabled supporters, had to be ushered to safety during the violence as officers battled to regain control. The scenes were later described in an independent review as involving a period of “life-threatening violence”, with concerns raised that somebody could have been killed.
Police Scotland has so far made more than 37 arrests in connection with the disorder under Operation Moonglint.
Sentencing and prosecutor warning
Both men admitted the charges against them previously at Glasgow Sheriff Court. Graham and Smith have now both been handed five-year Football Banning Orders, preventing them from entering any football ground in the UK or travelling to matches to support a team.
Graham was also given a two-year Community Payback Order along with an Electronic Monitoring Order, while Smith was sentenced to a 12-month Community Payback Order and a four-month Restriction of Liberty Order.
Fraser Gibson, Procurator Fiscal for Glasgow and Strathkelvin, said: “The behaviour of these two men contributed to mayhem at a major sporting event. It caused fear and distress amongst football fans and members of the public. Peaceful supporters, children and disabled people were caught up in the chaos and had to be shepherded to safety. Football-related crime is a blight on Scotland’s communities. It will not be tolerated. It should be understood that anyone who chooses to contribute to football-related disorder can expect to be held accountable by COPFS, Police Scotland and the courts.”
