The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
‘Aggressive’ Pars fans given banning order
Action against Dunfermline supporters after coin-throwing and spitting
Five Dunfermline Athletic fans have been handed banning orders following serious disorder at last Saturday’s home derby fixture with Falkirk.
Coins and other objects were hurled on to the field from the North West and Norrie McCathie Stands at East End Park, while there were also reports of fans displaying “overly aggressive” behaviour and failing to adhere to ground regulations or the instructions of stewards and police.
A female volunteer was also spat on by a Pars supporter in the tunnel area after the bad-tempered match, which ended 2-1 to the visitors.
Dunfermline Athletic officials have confirmed they met police on Tuesday to review events in all four stands on Saturday, and the match commander was said to be “reassured by the swift actions” the club intends to take.
Police investigations into reports of anti-social behaviour are said to be continuing and further arrests or subsequent action has not been ruled out.
Chairman Ross McArthur has also roundly condemned the small minority for sullying the club’s name, describing some of the actions witnessed on Saturday as “totally irresponsible” and “highly dangerous”.
“Football is a passionate game, and emotions can run high – particularly taking into account the exceptional circumstances at the weekend – but there can be absolutely no excuse for some of the actions that took place, such as throwing any form of missile or overly aggressive behaviour,” he said.
“These actions will not be tolerated at East End Park. As highlighted previously, anyone who involves themselves in this type of behaviour will have serious consequences both for themselves and our club.”
The club said a season ticket holder provided his card to one of the offenders to gain entry to the stadium, who was subsequently arrested.
Mr McArthur said that if the type of unacceptable conduct seen on Saturday continues at future home matches then there could be fewer police-free games, which could prove costly financially for the Fife outfit.
He also thanked a section of fans sitting in the North West Stand near the centre circle who pointed out an individual who threw a coin to authorities.
A review of allocated seating and ground regulations is to be carried out in the next couple of weeks, with a safe singing section one of the options being looked at. The strongly-word statement from the Pars comes just three months after the club was forced to issue a strong statement criticising a minority of supporters for their conduct.