Swinney Condemns 'Unacceptable' Old Firm Violence After Pitch Invasion
Scotland's First Minister John Swinney has issued a strong condemnation of the violent scenes that erupted following Sunday's Old Firm match in Glasgow, describing the behaviour as "completely and utterly unacceptable".
Violent Scenes at Ibrox Stadium
The quarter-final Scottish Cup clash between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox Stadium ended with Celtic winning after a tense penalty shootout. However, the conclusion of the match was marred by what police have called "shameful" scenes as fans stormed the pitch, leading to multiple arrests.
Speaking to the Press Association on Monday, John Swinney stated: "The violence after the Old Firm game yesterday at Ibrox was completely and utterly unacceptable – there is no justification for it whatsoever. There was severe danger applied to fans and to police officers and to stewards, it was completely unacceptable in every respect."
Full Support for Police Investigation
The First Minister emphasised that Police Scotland have his full backing to pursue and apprehend those responsible for the incident. He added: "What I want to make clear is the police have my full support in pursuing everyone involved in this incident, also that we will work constructively with the clubs – who must be horrified by the scenes that they witnessed – as well to address the situation, to work with the Scottish Football Association, to make sure that collaboratively and collectively, we do all that we can to make sure that these types of incidents have no place in Scottish football."
Pyrotechnics were reportedly used by those invading the pitch, which Swinney noted "exaggerates and escalates that level of danger." He stressed the need for the government to work with authorities to prevent such items from being brought into football grounds.
Football Community Reacts with Anger
The First Minister's comments followed strong reactions from football community representatives. Stuart Murphy, chief executive of the Scottish Football Fans Association, expressed his anger during an interview with BBC Radio Scotland on Monday morning, describing the situation as a "debacle."
"I'm angry this morning," Murphy said. "Actually, I'm angry on behalf of the majority of all decent fans, who will all feel tarnished and stained by that debacle yesterday which is the only way to describe it. I was at the Old Firm cup final 45 years ago and 45 years on, we've not moved on at all, so this morning is not a good day for the game in general."
This incident echoes the 1980 Scottish Cup final at Hampden, where clashes between Rangers and Celtic supporters resulted in 200 arrests and led to the implementation of a ban on alcohol sales in Scottish sports grounds, which remains in effect for football stadiums today.
Calls for Stricter Measures
Former Scottish Football Association chief executive Gordon Smith, who is also an ex-Rangers player, suggested that banning away supporters during Old Firm matches might be necessary to prevent future violence. Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland, Smith stated: "I think that might be one of the rules that comes in now, when Rangers and Celtic are playing at home, there will be no away fans allowed in. I definitely would be looking at that and saying what causes the trouble is when away fans are there. If there had been no away fans at the game yesterday, you wouldn't have had anything like that at all."
Police Investigation Underway
Following the match, Chief Superintendent Kate Stephen of Police Scotland issued a statement condemning the behaviour: "The behaviour of a number of supporters at the Scottish Cup quarter final between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox today was shameful. It must be condemned by everyone involved in football and wider society. A number of arrests have already been made, and Police Scotland will now work with both clubs and the Scottish Football Association to carry out a robust investigation following the scenes on the pitch at the conclusion of the match."
She added: "Officers and stewards were faced with extreme hostility and violence over a sustained period, with many individuals having armed themselves with items clearly intended to cause harm. Officers and members of the public have been injured in this despicable display and I want to express my thanks to all officers and staff deployed."
Police are also investigating reports that some fans entered the Broomloan Road stand without tickets before the game began, adding another layer to the ongoing inquiry into Sunday's disturbing events at Ibrox Stadium.
