Mass gathering could hurt Euro hopes, warns Leitch
SCOTLAND’S national clinical director Jason Leitch has warned that yesterday’s congregation of Rangers fans outside Ibrox could negatively impact Scotland’s efforts to host Euro 2020.
Thousands descended on the stadium ahead of yesterday’s near title-clinching win over St Mirren, many without face coverings and most ignoring social-distancing advice.
Mass gatherings are currently prohibited under Level 4 Lockdown restrictions, while no spectators have been admitted to Ibrox since March 2020.
The SFA is currently fighting to preserve Glasgow’s status as a host city for this summer’s Euros, with tournament organisers UEFA seeking assurances that spectators will be accommodated by a deadline of April 7.
Hampden is due to host four matches in June but the Scottish Government has yet
to issue any advice on when it will permit supporters back inside stadiums.
Leitch insisted yesterday’s scenes will not have played well in either Holyrood or UEFA’s Nyon headquarters.
He said: ‘UEFA will be looking on — UEFA are talking to us just now about fans, safety, about all the things we need to do to get crowds in the Euros. It’s not a good look.’
No arrests were reported yesterday but a spokesperson for the Scottish Government insisted the scenes represented a threat to public health: ‘At this crucial stage of suppressing the virus, the actions of this minority of individuals jeopardises the safety of other supporters, the police on duty and the wider community.’
Scottish Police Federation chairman David Hamilton described the mass gathering as ‘really disappointing’.
He added: ‘They are putting the public and officers at risk.
‘We do not have an option over whether we attend these types of incidents.
‘Most of those attending will not have been vaccinated.
‘The scenes from outside Ibrox Stadium were concerning and beggar belief.
‘Cheering on your team is not more important than the safety of officers and the wider public.’
Police Scotland’s Chief Superintendent Mark Sutherland said: ‘About 10am, a large number of supporters gathered outside Ibrox Stadium and a number of pyrotechnic devices were set off.
‘I would remind supporters that, in line with current Scottish Government coronavirus guidelines, all gatherings are currently prohibited and we would urge members of the public to comply with these restrictions.
‘Our priority is public safety and an appropriate policing plan was in place and officers engaged with those present to explain and encourage compliance with restrictions.’
However, former Rangers midfielder Derek Ferguson insisted he could understand the fans’ behaviour, given they had gone so long without a top-flight title triumph.
He told the BBC last night: ‘It is a little disappointing when we consider what’s going round the country, but these fans have been starved of success for so long and they just want some way to thank the team and the manager, Steven Gerrard.
‘Obviously, it’s not right to do it in the numbers they did and it can’t be excused, but we all do silly things when we get caught up in celebrations.’