Bowie: Celtic ‘embarrassed’ by their fans
KILMARNOCK chief Billy Bowie has revealed Celtic’s directors apologised after Sunday’s stormy league clash at Rugby Park and felt embarrassed by the conduct of their fans. Hoops supporters damaged seats, lit flares and invaded the field during their side’s 1-0 win in Ayrshire with home captain Kris Boyd also being hit by a coin. The Parkhead club will now face a repair bill and Bowie has told how their directors were at pains to say sorry over what unfolded before and after Scott Brown’s last-gasp winner. ‘The Celtic directors apologised after the game,’ said the Killie director and major shareholder. ‘They were embarrassed by what happened with their fans and
they apologised to me personally. When you are showing a good game of football live on TV, stuff like that does spoil it.
‘The main thing for us is the safety of fans. We will be having meetings this week to decide on a way forward.’
Kilmarnock’s board have issued a statement condemning the behaviour of the away support, while Boyd has called on football’s authorities to crack down on coin throwing. He believes, though, that fining clubs would not be enough to tackle the problem after being struck while warming up.
Neil Lennon and Alfredo Morelos were hit with coins at Tynecastle and St Mirren Park respectively this season, with linesman Calum Spence sustaining a head injury while officiating in the Livingston v Rangers game in September.
Police Scotland are reviewing CCTV images of the latest incident at Rugby Park which came amid allegations of Boyd being subjected to sectarian abuse.
Although UEFA have a policy of strict liability and can fine clubs for the actions of their fans inside a stadium, there is currently no such action available to Scotland’s footballing bodies.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, Boyd said: ‘I think it’s sad that, in 2019, we’re still throwing objects at people, we’re still having a go.
‘The verbal (aspect) I can take. I think the majority of footballers can take it.
‘I’ve had it for 20 years and it doesn’t bother me. But, as I’ve said, when it starts to go the other way and objects are thrown, then the idiots in the stands really need to get a grip.
‘You take into consideration fining people, but, for the big organisations in leagues around Europe, fining them £20,000 or £30,000 doesn’t really make a difference. They just write a cheque, take it and move on.
‘There needs to be more done about it. Taking Sunday’s game as an example, fining Celtic 20 to 30 grand is nothing.’
Boyd had earlier used his Instagram account to address the issue of coin-throwing — as well as the verbal abuse he was subjected to. He wrote: ‘We’re led to believe they’re the Greatest Fans in the World!!
‘Wrecking seats, flares and invading the park! Oh, and in case anyone didn’t know, I’m just a fat ORANGE (it must just be my favourite colour) b ****** .
‘The shouts and abuse I can handle as a bit of banter even tho if others it would be sectarianism.
‘Getting hit with a coin, though, is a step too far. Don’t worry, I wasn’t injured but if it doesn’t stop someone will end up with a bad injury. Thought those days in (British) football were over.’
The Rugby Park board met last night to discuss a number of incidents from the defeat for Steve Clarke’s side.
A subsequent statement read: ‘The board of Kilmarnock Football Club wishes to express its dismay at events which occurred during yesterday’s game against Celtic.
‘During the course of the match, Kris Boyd was struck by a missile thrown from the crowd, a number of Chadwick and Moffat Stand seats were damaged or broken, while some Celtic fans invaded the field of play and confronted our players.
‘We condemn all of these incidents in the strongest possible terms and reiterate that the safety of all players, staff and supporters is paramount at all times.
‘Under SPFL Rule H40, Celtic FC will be required to pay for the damage caused to Rugby Park.
‘Over the course of the day, initial investigations have begun and we will be seeking meetings with Police Scotland and G4S.
‘Kilmarnock FC is a family club and, as a board, we continue to work hard to ensure Rugby Park is a safe and welcoming environment to enjoy watching football.
‘We will work with a number of parties to explore all options to fulfil this goal and maximise the number of Kilmarnock fans cheering the team on at all home matches.’
Celtic released a statement of their own yesterday, saying they and Killie will ‘fully investigate this matter’ and adding: ‘Clearly, if anyone is identified, we will take the appropriate action.’
Meanwhile, John Hartson believes Scottish football fans could soon face airport-style security checks if coin throwing continues to blight the game.
‘We’ve seen it several times this season,’ said the Welshman. ‘We saw it at Hearts when Neil Lennon was hit by a coin. It’s unacceptable.
‘It’s a shame there is a small minority who do these things because it is ridiculously dangerous.
‘A coin could take a player’s eye out. Is that what it’s going to take before we stamp down on it?
‘I don’t know what the authorities can do. If there’s one idiot in the crowd prepared to throw a coin, are we going to check everyone’s pockets before they go into grounds? Is it going to become like an airport security check?
‘If someone decides to take a coin out of their pocket and launch it at a player, it’s just not right. But I’d say I think it’s a small minority.’
A Police Scotland spokeswoman confirmed that they were now trying to bring the perpetrator of the latest coin-throwing incident to justice.
‘We can confirm an investigation is under way following a number of reported incidents at the Kilmarnock v Celtic match on Sunday,’ she said. ‘If anyone has any information which could assist officers in the investigation, please contact police on 101.’