Ajax 15 in dock over Celtic riot
VICTIM CLAIMS COURT CASE IS JUST FOR SHOW Trial in Amsterdam starts tomorrow
Paul Drury
A group of suspected football hooligans will go on trial in Holland almost six years after a night of organised attacks on Celtic fans.
Fifteen men who travelled to Glasgow for Ajax’s Europa League clash against the Hoops have been accused of causing “violence on an industrial scale” in the city.
The Crown Office in Edinburgh gave up on prosecuting the gang, deciding that by passing the case to prosecutors in Amsterdam they had a greater chance of securing convictions.
Trials will begin in the Dutch capital’s district court tomorrow. But no witnesses from Scotland have been called to provide testimony, either in person or by video link. Prosecutors say that in taking forward charges of “public violence against persons and goods” they will rely on statements made to Police Scotland.
About 40 thugs wearing masks and balaclavas brought mayhem to the east end of Glasgow in November 2015.
Despite warnings that Dutch hooligans were coming to Scotland, they were still able to launch a highly organised attack on four pubs popular with Celtic supporters. Most were able to pull down the shutters to protect terrified fans inside but staff and patrons of the Hoops Bar on Gallowgate were not so lucky.
Pub boss Neil O’Donnell was battered with a concrete slab. When
police eventually arrived, thugs were still jumping on his head. Six others were also injured in the attacks.
Neil, who will have a titanium plate in his face for the rest of his life, believes the trial is being conducted for the authorities to “show” they are doing something. The publican was invited to attend the hearings as an “observer” rather than a witness.
He said: “I got a letter six weeks ago telling me things were going ahead and I was asked if I’d like to go over as an observer. What is the point in that? I think anything they’re doing now is being done for show.
“I’ve been offered a pitiful amount in criminal compensation.”
Electrician Grant Kel ly was dragged into the street with Neil.
Friends told him that at one stage he was being kicked around the pavement by about 30 people. The 29-year-old, of Glasgow’s Hillington, said: “I must have suffered concussion
bbecause policel foundfd me in Central l Station around an hour later, covered in blood. I’ve no idea how I got there. My cheekbone was fractured in three places, I lost seven or eight teeth and my jaw was broken in three places.”
Billy Gold, owner of the Hielan Jessie pub in the Gal lowgate, described the night’s events as “violence on an industrial scale”.
The Crown Of f ice said: “The procurator fiscal at Glasgow received a report concerning a 23-year- old female and 14 males aged between 19 and 38 in connection with alleged incidents on November 26, 2015.
“After considering the facts and discussing with representatives from the Netherlands, Crown Counsel instructed the matter be transferred there for prosecutors to take forward.”
The list of accused shows the female has been dropped from those facing charges but 15 suspects are still expected to face trial.