Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Mackay wants football authorities to crack down on pyrotechnics
MALKY Mackay has called for pyrotechnics to be stamped out of football following disruption from visiting supporters during Ross County’s defeat to Dundee United.
Although County took the lead through Blair Spittal, a double from Nicky Clark turned the match in United’s favour to secure fourth place in the Premiership.
The match was delayed on several occasions due to pyrotechnics being thrown on to the pitch by United’s travelling support.
Sections of the United support also twice invaded the pitch, with midfielder Kevin McDonald injured amidst one of the rushes on to the field.
Although he could understand the excitement of the visiting fans Mackay took particular issue with the use of flares, insisting he was concerned for the safety of stewards and officials who had to remove them from the playing field.
Mackay said: “It’s the last day of the season and there was a kind of carnival atmosphere.
“But that safety aspect, with pyrotechnics coming on, is something that needs to stop in Scottish football as it can hurt people.
“People have actually got to lift those off the pitch, and they are 500 degrees. I really don’t enjoy that at all, and it happened too much.
“I’m fine with the party atmosphere and people spilling on and off, as it’s one of those days.
“But the pyrotechnics need to be looked at and addressed in Scottish football.
“People are behaving in a certain way now they are back at football, which didn’t really happen before.
“It’s something that across the board isn’t acceptable, if we are talking about safety at football clubs and respect at grounds for anything and everything.”