The Tartan Army have represented Scotland proudly for decades. But this needs to be said: The behaviour of a minority at Trafalgar Square’s war memorial was an absolute DISGRACE
SHAME OF ROGUE FANS
YOU HAVE TARNISHED THE GOOD IMAGE OF THE TARTAN ARMY
Tartan Army chiefs have condemned the drunken behaviour of fans in Trafalgar Square which led to the desecration of a poppy day memorial.
Boozed- up fans were seen urinating and flashing in public just hours after an Armistice Day service had been held at the landmark.
Veterans and members of the public had solemnly turned out for the Royal British Legion’s Silence in the Square event which was marked by a two-minute silence.
The poignant event to honour all generations across the armed forces concluded when Good Morning Britain host Ben Shepherd invited the crowd to place poppy petals in the Square’s fountains in an act of remembrance.
Thousands of fans travelled to London for the national team’s World Cup clash with the Auld Enemy and took over the traditional meeting place for a pre- match drinking session.
They had been reminded prior to the trip to be mindful of the rememberance ceremony being held there for Armistice Day on the mornining of the match.
Supporters of both teams observed two minutes’ silence during the ceremony.
But just hours later in full view of shocked Londoners and tourists, Scotland fans were seen urinating against statues, f lashing their private parts, splashing in fountains and leaving a trail of rubbish.
Images of thousands of discarded cans and beer bottles strewn across Trafalgar Square were posted on social media to the fury of people who live in the city.
One Scotland supporter was photographed being pushed by his pals into water filled with poppies and emerging with a football.
Other kilted fans were f ilmed wading through the pool of poppies, which had been the focal point of the annual Royal British Legion’s ceremony. Supporters were also
accused of wrecking public toilets in the area.
Around 20,000 Scotland fans travelled to London for the game but with only 13,700 tickets for the first competitive match between the two nations for 17 years.
Rika Furude wrote on Twitter: “Scottish fans trash Trafalgar Square on Armi st ice Day. Disgraceful. Theresa May needs to issue a formal condemnation of this.”
Tartan Army leaders expressed their disgust at how a minority of their fellow supporters behaved. Hamish Husband, spokesman for the West of Scotland Tartan Army, said: “The two minute silence was observed with impeccable dignity from both sets of fans in Trafalgar Square.
“It’s regrettable a few drunk Scots tarnished the good image of the Tartan Army and Scotland itself.”
Another fan, Kenny Nicol, said he specif ical ly avoided Trafalgar Square because of the date.
He said: “Just because it was Armistice Day, I didn’t want any trouble. I wanted everybody to be respectful.” Fans were also accused of filling fountains in Russell Square with bubbles.
Trafalgar Square has been a meeting point for generations of Scotland fans when the national team play England at Wembley.
The SFA had asked supporters to be respectful of Armistice Day events in and around the area on the morning of the match.
Police in London made 13 arrests before, during and after the game, which ended in a 3- 0 defeat for Gordon Strachan’s men and left Scotland’s World Cup hopes hanging by a thread.
Last night, six men were still being held in custody, facing charges of common assault, affray and public order offences.
Metropolitan Police would not say how many of the 13 were Scots.
A 16-year- old boy was arrested for possession of Class A drugs and given a caution.
A 49-year-old man was arrested for being drunk and disorderly and being in possession of cannabis. He was given a warning.
Police also said a 23- year- old man was arrested for being drunk and disorderly and in possession of a flare. He was given a penalty notice for disorder.
Images also emerged of England fans f ighting among themselves inside the stadium. One supporter was left with a bloody face after clashing with a fan sitting in the same a rea of the ground.
S c ot l a nd fa n Mar k Norquay po s ted a note on the Ta rt a n Army message board yesterday, b la s t ing t h e repor t s