PFA Scotland demand SFA and SPFl act after missiles

PFA SCOTLAND chief executive Fraser Wishart has called on the SFA and SPFL to take action to stamp out the alarming rise in incidents of players having objects thrown at them. Celtic winger Scott Sinclair was nearly hit by a glass bottle that was thrown by a Hibernian supporter during the William Hill Scottish Cup quarter-final at Easter Road on Saturday. Kilmarnock striker Kris Boyd was struck on the arm by a coin that was hurled at him by a Celtic fan during a Ladbrokes Premiership match at Rugby Park last month. Wishart urged the Scottish football authorities to address the issue urgently – before one of their members is seriously injured. He said: “After this weekend’s incidents at Easter Road, we stress again that the throwing of objects at players, violence or any form of verbal abuse directed towards players must be taken seriously and we trust that the authorities will take the appropriate action to ensure that this dangerous practice is stopped. “The continuing rise in incidents of this nature at football grounds across the country is alarming and must be addressed with the greatest of urgency. On the field, our members have been subjected to racist and sectarian abuse, physically assaulted and had coins and now a bottle thrown at them. “Any form of abuse – physical or verbal – is wholly unacceptable and it is of paramount importance that something is done before someone is seriously hurt or maimed. “The football pitch is a player’s place of work and it is not unreasonable for a player, like any other employee, to be able to work with the knowledge that their workplace is indeed a safe environment, free from violence and discrimination and that their health and safety is not at risk. “We refer back again to the survey we conducted amongst our members in 2016 as part of a worldwide survey for the World Players Union FIFPro. Worryingly, 35 per cent of those players surveyed said they had been threatened by fans (34 per cent on a match day).” Meanwhile, Rangers are set to receive a bill of about £3,000 from

Aberdeen for seats their supporters damaged at Pittodrie on Sunday. More than 80 seats were broken in the away section and 60 of them were beyond repair. They will cost £45 each to replace. Match Commander Supt Richard Craig said: “I would like to thank the vast majority of supporters from both clubs who heeded our advice and behaved responsibly today. “However, it is disappointing that a very small minority of fans chose to ignore the warnings and were involved in disorderly behaviour. They have let themselves and their clubs down. “Disruptive behaviour in and around football matches in Scotland will not be tolerated and those who choose to conduct themselves in such a way will be firmly dealt with.” Rangers and Aberdeen will meet in a quarter-final replay at Ibrox a week today after the two sides drew 1-1 at Pittodrie on Sunday. Rangers had been denied the 4,000 tickets they were due for the tie under Scottish Cup rules every away team gets 20 per cent of the stadium capacity – because Aberdeen were unable to get their stadium safety certificate altered in time. The Ibrox club had appealed to their followers to behave before the last eight tie this weekend. “Let’s not give anyone a chance to criticise this great club, your club,” said a statement. “The majority of our supporters recognise unacceptable behaviour has no place in our ranks. Support the team, be louder than our opponents and drive our players forward but let’s do so in the correct manner.”