FOOTBALL PARTY BACKLASH
Rangers fans under fire... as police face criticism over lack of action
fans who ignored lockdown laws to celebrate Rangers’ title victory have been branded an ‘absolute disgrace’ by the Deputy first Minister.
John swinney made a strongly-worded attack on the behaviour of thousands of supporters who congregated in Glasgow and condemned club bosses for not doing enough to encourage them to go home.
fears were raised that the scenes will lead to a rise in coronavirus cases just as the country prepares to take more steps out of lockdown.
a series of politicians condemned police for the lack of action to disperse the crowds on sunday evening after the club won the scottish Premiership – but rank-and-file officers hit back at ‘armchair police commanders’.
at the scottish Government’s coronavirus briefing, Mr swinney said: ‘The behaviour of some fans has been an absolute disgrace and has undoubtedly cast a shadow over what should have been a special day for the team.
‘The success that we have had in recent weeks in reducing case numbers is because so many people across scotland have stuck to extremely tough rules, which are designed to prevent the spread of the virus between different households. To see so many people deliberately flouting these rules with no regard for the safety of others is shameful.
‘Events like yesterday risk spreading the virus. and they show no regard or respect at all for the millions of households across scotland who have been sticking to the rules.’
He said the Government and Police scotland told Rangers of the need for the club to advise fans to adhere to current restrictions during discussions on february 26 and March 5.
Mr swinney said the Government will be ‘making our extreme disappointment at the lack of leadership clear to the team management’.
Justice secretary Humza Yousaf was planning more talks with Chief Constable Iain Livingstone ‘to understand why the events … took place as they did, what actions are being taken to identify those responsible; and what more can be done to try to ensure we don’t see repeats.’
Mr swinney said Rangers had a ‘duty’ to tell fans not to gather and messages from them on sunday could have helped disperse the crowds, adding: ‘The silence from Rangers was deafening.’
Rangers said manager steven Gerrard had highlighted that fans should adhere to government guidelines. The club said: ‘We’ve proactively engaged with our local MP, the Justice secretary, the scottish Government, Police scotland and the [scottish Professional football League] in relation to maintaining a cohesive message regarding public safety during the Covid-19 pandemic.’
nationalist MsP for Glasgow Kelvin sandra White called for an inquiry into the police’s handling of the issue.
But David Hamilton, chairman of the scottish Police federation, condemned ‘armchair police commanders’, adding: ‘I don’t think it’s the police officers people should be blaming.’
Police scotland’s Deputy Chief Constable Malcolm Graham said: ‘I utterly condemn the individuals who chose to completely disregard the coronavirus regulations, putting both the wider community and our officers at risk.
‘I also strongly condemn the lack of support from Rangers fC over the messages we repeatedly asked them to put out to persuade fans not to go out celebrating and encourage those who did gather in large numbers to return home.
‘It was very clear through the lack of messaging that Rangers did not take seriously their responsibilities in terms of seeking to persuade their fans to celebrate safely and responsibly.’
Meanwhile, an MsP accused an snP councillor of making ‘defamatory’ comments. after
Dundee United’s draw with Celtic, which secured Rangers the title, Tory MSP and Rangers supporter Murdo Fraser tweeted to ask why Nicola Sturgeon, whose constituency covers Ibrox Stadium, had not congratulated the club.
SNP East Lothian councillor Paul McLennan described him as an ‘utter disgrace’, saying: ‘Public health and the thousands who have died mean nothing to you? Blood on your hands.’
But Mr Fraser said: ‘This tweet was inflammatory and defamatory. I had twice urged fans to be responsible.’
Mr McLennan said: ‘I was extremely concerned Murdo Fraser’s tweets were encouraging others to celebrate when asked to stay indoors.’