Motherwell say sorry to fans over ‘incident’

MOTHERWELL chief executive Alan Burrows has described an alleged attack by a balaclava-clad gang on fans after a women’s league game at Fir Park on Saturday as ‘disgraceful’.

The incident is believed to have happened ten minutes after the end of the SWPL1 match between the home side and Hamilton.

Eye-witnesses claimed that a group of yobs started throwing smoke grenades at the fans then began fighting with a rival gang.

Fan Rodger Shearer Tweeted: ‘I was caught up in the middle of it. This couldn’t be predicted and the stewards reacted quickly when they saw what was going on.

‘It’s the most disgusting scenes I’ve seen in decades at a match. Around 20 black-clad men with balaclavas hiding their faces came at us.

‘It was my first women’s match in over 50 years following the club and this happens. I’m not coming to the home match v Rangers despite being a season ticket holder. Too old to run.’

Burrows replied on Twitter: ‘I’m really sorry you (and others) were caught up in that Rodger. It’s hard to believe what happened, but we’ll now work with the police to try and identify culprits.

‘I can’t say too much as this is now a police matter. Suffice to say, we had more than adequate stewarding for the crowd and the game itself passed off in a fantastic spirit both on and off the park.

‘What happened afterwards, which we have caught on CCTV, was absolutely disgraceful. We are working with all the appropriate authorities, with the evidence we have, to try and identify the culprits and bring them to justice.’

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: ‘Officers were called to reports of a disturbance in the Fir Park Street area of Motherwell around 5pm on Saturday.

‘Officers attended and there were no reports of any injuries. Following enquiries, no criminality was established.’

Entry to Saturday’s match was free, with donations being taken for the Motherwell Academy. Hamilton won the game 1-0.