Rangers have condemned the disorder that marred last Sunday’s Old Firm clash – and backed a full and independent review of the shameful scenes.
Although Celtic also welcomed the review when they broke their silence later in the day, their interim chairman Brian Wilson said he took issue with comments made by Scotland’s top police officer when she criticised the two clubs for not immediately condemning the violence at Ibrox.
The former Labour MP told Celtic TV: ‘If there’s evidence of violence and threats of violence, then of course I will condemn that.’
Dozens of Celtic fans spilled on to the Ibrox pitch as they celebrated their side’s victory on penalties, before scores of home supporters left the Copland Road end and began making their way towards the halfway line.
Trying to keep rival fans apart, police and stewards created a cordon across the park until order was eventually restored. The incident is now the subject of police and SFA investigations, with the governing body now revealing they will commission an independent review of the match-day safety and security operations.
The Old Firm clubs came under fire from Chief Constable Jo Farrell for staying silent on the chaos, with the Ibrox outfit first to issue a statement yesterday when they backed the SFA’s proposal and promised to issue stadium bans to anyone convicted of offences related to the match.
Supporters spill on to the Ibrox pitch during Sunday’s controversial Old Firm clash
It read: ‘Following the events of Sunday’s Scottish Cup fixture at Ibrox, we have spent the past few days in discussions with our staff, supporter groups and the relevant authorities, and we will continue to work closely with Police Scotland, Glasgow City Council, the Scottish FA and the Safety Advisory Group in the weeks ahead.
‘The disorder that occurred on Sunday was unacceptable and we condemn it unequivocally. Safety must always come first in football, for supporters, players and everyone working in and around the game. We also want to recognise the efforts of the many staff, stewards and emergency services who operated in extremely difficult circumstances on the day.
‘There are now a number of serious issues which require proper examination. For that reason, we agree that there should be a fully independent review into the events surrounding the match.
‘That review must be thorough and wide-ranging, examining the decisions and actions of all relevant parties. Its scope must include the broader context around this fixture, from the initial decisions on ticket allocations through to the sequence of incidents that followed the match. All parties must be prepared to have their actions and decision-making subjected to proper scrutiny.
‘Where individuals are identified and convicted of offences connected to the match, the club will take action and impose appropriate sanctions, including the potential withdrawal of ticketing privileges and stadium bans.
‘We will approach all regulatory engagement responsibly and cooperate fully with the authorities as the facts are established.
‘At the same time, we will represent the club and our supporters robustly. We recognise that many fans want the club to say more at this stage, and supporters should be assured that we are across the detail of the issues being discussed and the questions being raised.
‘However, it is important we respect any ongoing investigative or judicial processes and do nothing that could prejudice them. There will be an appropriate time to address those matters fully.’
Police have to draw their batons as they attempt to keep marauding fans at bay
Addressing sickening graffiti scrawled on the interior walls of the Broomloan Road end, the statement added: ‘What we can say now is that issues of stadium safety and the legacy of the Ibrox Disaster are deeply personal to this club. We were appalled to discover graffiti within the stadium referencing that tragedy.
‘The memory of the 66 supporters who lost their lives in January 1971 deserves dignity and respect. To desecrate their memory is vile. It is cowardly. It is shameful. This is not football rivalry and it is not banter. It is the abuse of a tragedy that claimed 66 lives.
‘Finally, it is important the reputation of Rangers supporters is treated fairly in this discussion. Tens of thousands of people attended Ibrox on Sunday simply to support their team with pride and to watch a football match. We will not accept a narrative that ignores the full context of what happened. For now, it would not be appropriate to comment further.’
Celtic’s interim chairman Wilson also welcomed calls for an independent review but took issue with the Chief Constable’s remarks earlier this week.
He told Celtic TV: ‘When there is evidence of unacceptable behaviours, we act against both individuals and groups.
‘Measuring responses by condemnatory statements isn’t really accurate. If this could be resolved by statements of condemnation, it would have been resolved decades ago. It is actions that matter.
‘If you’re going to ask for condemnation, you have to be more specific. There are certainly things that I would happily condemn and regret.
‘The high-profile aspect of this was after the penalty went in and Celtic had won. There was a euphoric response from our supporters. It’s not uncommon, in fact it’s happened on numerous occasions this season in Scottish football, where you have an overspill onto the pitch. That in itself does not normally draw expressions of condemnation.’
Wilson, who said that Celtic had concerns about access arrangements before the game which would be addressed with police, the SFA and Rangers, added: ‘If there’s evidence of violence and threats of violence, then of course I will condemn that. Let’s look at the evidence before we create a false narrative.’
A separate club statement read: ‘There are clearly serious issues to be addressed and examples of unacceptable behaviour which require appropriate responses.’
The game was the first in eight years to be played with 7,500 Celtic fans present — a throwback to the pre-2018 allocations for Glasgow derbies.
A long-standing dispute between the clubs had seen between zero and 800 away fans present at league games at Parkhead and Ibrox before an agreement brokered by the SPFL last year saw that increased to between 2,500 and 3,000.
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill was among those who had recently expressed hope that the bigger allocation for Sunday’s game — in accordance with Scottish Cup rules — would signal a return to that level in all matches.
Scottish football was shamed by the scenes involving Old Firm fans after Scottish Cup tie
However, speaking on Monday, Chief Superintendent Emma Croft all but ruled that out, saying there would have to be a ‘conversation’ going forward about away allocations.
‘We need to start working through the numbers,’ she said. ‘But what I would categorically say is that that number of away fans for a Glasgow derby is not sustainable.’
Nine arrests have so far been made, with more expected as the investigation continues.
A 47-year-old man was charged with assaults on a coach and a player while a 54-year-old man was charged with assaulting a police officer.
Three men, aged 20, 23 and 54, have been charged in connection with the alleged serious assault of a man on Helen Street in Glasgow.
A 10-year-old boy was struck by a coin while police are also
investigating acts of vandalism and graffiti.
An SFA statement earlier confirmed that there would be a comprehensive review of the events which culminated in the ugly scenes.
‘The Scottish FA can confirm that the Compliance Officer is collating evidence from the weekend’s derby match at Ibrox Stadium,’ a statement read.
‘Any alleged breaches will be notified to relevant parties in line with the Judicial Panel Protocol.
‘Furthermore, following discussions with relevant stakeholders, the Scottish FA will commission an independent review of the match-day safety and security operations for this Scottish Gas Scottish Cup Quarter-Final fixture.
‘This review will seek to provide recommendations for all parties to ensure no repeat of the events that have tarnished the image and reputation of the game.’
