GERS FANS RAGE AT SFA
IBROX fan chiefs have criticised the Scottish FA for failing to provide a deterrent against future pitch invasions after they closed the case on the Hampden riots.
Rangers and Hibernian were last night cleared by a judicial panel that was reviewing the aftermath of May’s Scottish Cup final that saw thousands of supporters storm the park at the full-time whistle.
More than 70 arrests have been made in recent months after damage was caused to goalposts,
advertising boards and the pitch and fights broke out before mounted Police were able to restore order.
Several Rangers players and staff were caught up in the ugly scenes and the Gers board have been highly critical of the SFA for their handling of the situation.
Both clubs were charged under Disciplinary Rule 311 but the case against Rangers was thrown out after it was determined that Hibs would face no further action.
A vote three years ago ruled out the prospect of ‘strict liability’ legislation being introduced but the Light Blue legions have hit out at the SFA’s stance.
Club 1872 spokesman Craig Houston told SportTimes: “The fact that none of the charges mentioned attacking Rangers supporters and players is odd because that would suggest that the SFA don’t see that to be an issue. That is unbelievable.
“The fact that the Vice President of the SFA, Mr Rod Petrie, who is also the chairman of Hibs, commented after the game that it was no more than ‘over-exuberance’ seems to be backed up by these findings.
“Basically the SFA have stated that the behaviour at Hampden that day is unpunishable and the fear is that the floodgates have now opened in terms of what is actually acceptable at a football match.
“There is absolutely nothing to make fans think twice now about running onto the park during a game that the SFA are governing. If there is no punishment to their club, there is nothing to prevent repeats of this going forward.
“Nobody would think that what happened after the cup final is acceptable but the SFA have put nothing in place to prevent it and to deter people going forward.
“People across the world will find it quite astonishing that the investigation found nothing wrong with the reactions of the Hibernian fans.”