Swinney Slams Celtic and Rangers Over Delayed Condemnation of Fan Violence
Scotland's First Minister John Swinney has publicly criticised both Celtic and Rangers football clubs, stating it took "too long" for them to condemn the violent fan disorder that marred the conclusion of last weekend's Scottish Cup quarter-final.
Four-Day Delay in Club Statements
Speaking during an interview for the BBC's Scotcast podcast, Mr Swinney expressed his frustration that four full days passed before either club issued any public comment regarding the violent scenes at Ibrox Stadium last Sunday. The match concluded with supporters from both clubs storming the pitch, leading to attacks on police officers and stewards, and resulting in a number of arrests.
"I think it took them too long to say anything about it, bluntly," Mr Swinney stated when questioned about whether the clubs were taking the issue seriously.
Clubs Finally Issue Condemnations
It was not until Wednesday, March 12th, that both Glasgow giants released official statements. Rangers FC declared it "unequivocally" condemned the fan disorder, while Celtic FC acknowledged there were "examples of unacceptable behaviour" that must be addressed.
In his interview, which is scheduled for release on Thursday, the First Minister emphasised the need for urgent action. "I think we've got to try to bring the clubs together with the football authorities because at a very basic level, I am not prepared to tolerate that violence at a football match," he asserted.
Malicious Intent and Personal Concerns
Mr Swinney went further, accusing some attendees of arriving at the match with premeditated hostile intentions. He pointed to the wearing of balaclavas as evidence, noting the weather was not particularly cold that day. "You're going there with malicious intent. You don't need to wear a balaclava," he remarked.
In subsequent comments to the Press Association, the First Minister revealed the incidents had affected him personally, stating he would not feel comfortable taking his teenage son to an Old Firm derby. However, he stopped short of advocating for future Rangers versus Celtic fixtures to be played behind closed doors, without any supporters present.
"I would rather that's not the case but I think none of us can watch those scenes and think that there isn't something that's got to give as a consequence of what happened at the weekend," Mr Swinney explained, adding that he intends to engage with the clubs and the Scottish Football Association to determine the best course of action.
Historical Context and Club Responses
This is not an isolated incident. Clashes have repeatedly flared in recent years when these two fierce rivals meet. Notably, during the 2024 League Cup final, police were compelled to use special powers to facilitate searches following reports of missiles being thrown at officers and vandalism to a city centre pub.
In its official statement, Rangers FC emphasised that safety must always come first and called for a "thorough and wide-ranging" review of the events. The club warned that convicted individuals could face stadium bans and the potential withdrawal of ticketing privileges.
Celtic's statement acknowledged serious issues requiring appropriate responses. However, in a separate interview with Celtic TV on Thursday, the club's interim chairman Brian Wilson suggested actions speak louder than words. "If this could be resolved by statements of condemnation, it would have been resolved decades ago," he said, arguing for more specific condemnations and emphasising that tangible actions from all parties involved are what truly matter.
The delayed response from Scotland's most prominent football institutions has placed them under intense political and public scrutiny, with the First Minister demanding accountability and a collaborative effort to prevent future violence.
