The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)

Man banned from all Scottish football matches.

24-year-old arrested following alleged homophobic incident at play-off

- PAUL MALIK pmalik@thecourier.co.uk

A man arrested following an alleged homophobic incident at a play-off game has been temporaril­y banned from all Scottish football matches.

Euan Low, 24, was picked up by police after allegedly acting in a threatenin­g and abusive manner at Tannadice Park on Friday evening.

Dundee United faced off against Dunfermlin­e in the fixture, winning the game 2-1 on the night.

Low, of Baffies Brae, Dunfermlin­e, appeared at Dundee Sheriff Court yesterday afternoon, having spent three days in custody after being arrested following the alleged incident.

Due to the bank holiday on Monday, all court custody cases were pushed back until yesterday.

Low denies two offences said to have taken place during United’s leg of the play-off game.

The first charge alleges he acted in a threatenin­g and abusive manner, liable to cause a reasonable person fear or alarm, in that he shouted, swore, acted in an aggressive manner, lashed out, struggled violently and uttered homophobic remarks.

The second alleges Low assaulted a member of staff at Tannadice. It is also alleged the assault was aggravated by prejudice relating to the man’s sexual orientatio­n.

Depute fiscal Joanne Smith had initially opposed bail, as Low had appeared on an analogous matter regarding a football-related offence at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court on the morning of the match.

Sheriff George Way did not remand Low in custody ahead of trial, but did enact the special bail condition.

Low is now, in the interim between his release from custody and his trial – due to take place in July – banned from attending any and all regulated football matches in Scotland.

Sheriff Way said: “I think keeping him away from football grounds is needed and because of the nature of the alleged offences we will need early diets.”

The court was told Low works for the Princes Trust charity group.

He will return to court for trial on July 5, with an intermedia­te diet scheduled for June 10.

Dundee United’s win at Tannadice secured a play-off victory after an earlier 0-0 draw at East End Park.

“Ithink keeping him away from football grounds is needed

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