Croatian fans stabbed in street as violence explodes before match
TWO Croatian football fans were stabbed during a mass brawl ahead of a Rangers’ European tie in what police have described as a ‘disgraceful incident’.
The men, aged 24 and 40, were injured during a ‘large-scale disturbance’ involving up to 40 people in the Govan area of Glasgow on Thursday evening.
Video footage posted online shows running fights ahead of the Ibrox club’s Europa League qualifier with Osijek.
The two injured men were taken to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow where their conditions were described as ‘stable’.
The violence broke out around 7pm near the Edmiston Drive junction on Paisley Road West – around 400 yards from Ibrox Stadium.
It is believed between 40 and 60 people were involved in the fighting, with victims being punched and kicked while on the ground and flares being thrown. It is unclear whether or not the clashes were prearranged.
Film uploaded to Twitter shows police officers, including those on horseback, lining roads on the approach to the stadium.
Croatian police were present at the game and around the ground, but the away fans were not escorted to the stadium due to the small number and low expectation of violence.
No one has been arrested over the disturbance and police are appealing for witnesses, particularly those with mobile phone or dashcam footage.
Yesterday Rangers manager Steven Gerrard said: ‘As a club we don’t want to see scenes like that. We want everyone to come away talking about the football and the positive result we got.
‘So it’s a shame that has gone on and we just hope that no one has been hurt, that’s all we ask for.’ Officers are examining CCTV footage and conducting door-todoor enquiries in the area.
Area Commander Chief Inspector Alan Bowater said: ‘Supporters of both sides should be able to attend a football match without getting caught up in violence and disorder.
‘Also, innocent members of the public should not have to be faced with the threat of encountering it.’
He added: ‘I would like to reassure members of the public that we take their safety extremely seriously and sufficient resources will be deployed at future games to tackle anti-social behaviour and violence.’
Mr Bowater said the game was ‘policed appropriately’, adding that the match was not considered to be one that carried a high threat of disorder.
On Sunday evening there were reports of violent clashes between Rangers and Wigan fans following a friendly at Ibrox, but Mr Bowater said there was no indication of trouble at games becoming commonplace.
He added: ‘There’s nothing to suggest an increase in organised violence around football.’
Detective Chief Inspector Craig Willison, of Greater Glasgow CID, said: ‘It’s a disgraceful incident. Extensive enquiries are ongoing to identify the individuals involved. I would appeal to anyone who was in the area at the time to get in touch.’
‘We don’t want to see scenes like that’