Broony’s spot on.. some punters are totally lout of order
Scott Brown gave the whole of Scottish football something to chew on last week.
The Celtic skipper’s claim of having sweeties thrown at him during a clash at Motherwell shone a truth on a section of supporters in this country.
Increasingly, the 12th man is a liability. The away day fans are the biggest problem – but there’s a disclaimer.
The people who make long journeys to the likes of Dingwall and Inverness are often the most loyal – and dedication and devotion must always be commended.
But anyone who’s had the misfortune of traveling on a train packed with supporters will know all about the more moronic elements at play.
A mate who works with the British Transport Police claims the ned subculture that follows Motherwell and Hamilton are top of the league for antisocial behaviour.
Some cops have had to go off on the sick due to the stress of coping with the match-day lout fans.
The Old Firm are also in the race when it comes to chanting sectarian abuse, violence, abusive behaviour and vandalism.
A Motherwell club statement read: “We will work with Celtic to fully investigate, amongst other things, the numerous acts of vandalism, including 206 broken seats, damaged toilets and graffiti in the McEwan Fraser Legal South Stand.”
An example of the lack of class from some Hoops fans at a time when the club needs to take some responsibility for their fans rather than playing the victim card.
A group of Celtic supporters shamed their during a game in Sunderland in the summer when they sang a hateful song about murdered soldier Lee Rigby. Celtic later released a statement condemning the action and stating that it did not represent the club or their fans.
It was a horrible but isolated incident – so fair enough.
But they won’t be invited back with the Sunderland Echo’s Tony Gillan claiming: “The game produced drunken violence, flares and some hideous sectarianism.”
Then there was the trouble in Anderlecht with reports of street fights with rival fans,
There have been arrests for the drunk and disorderly, breach of the peace and the use of illegal pyrotechnics.
There was the UEFA charge relating to a banner portraying a person in a paramilitary uniform that led to the Parkhead club closing the Green Brigade section for two matches after “serious incidents of unsafe behaviour” at two home games.
UEFA has now fined Celtic 11 times in less than six years over fanbehaviour issues ranging from pro-IRA chants to fireworks, crowd disturbances and other illicit banner charges
More recently they were hit with a £8900 fine over a pitch invasion during the Champions League tie against Paris Saint-Germain when a fan aimed a kick at Kylian Mbappe
That fine took Celtic past £150,000 in sanctions for supporter behaviour in the last six years. It’s a statistic that has taken a shine off their European efforts and saddles the club with unwanted headlines.
Yes, Brown is right to highlight his experience of being on the end of anti-social behaviour from Well fans after being showered by Chewits.
More can be done to address unacceptable conduct – so it’s time to heed the words of a nippy sweetie.