The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Pyrotechnics aimed at home fans at Dundee v Celtic game
An investigation is under way after fireworks were aimed towards home supporters at Dens Park on Wednesday night.
Fans say they felt unsafe during the SPFL Premiership match between Dundee and Celtic after away supporters launched pyrotechnics towards home supporters.
Dundee suffered a Halloween nightmare on the pitch, losing 5-0 to Brendan Rodgers’ Glasgow side.
Supporters were left feeling further aggrieved, with some accusing police and stewards of inaction and allowing the large travelling support to get away with holding banned items in the stadium.
It is an offence for anyone to enter a football ground with fireworks, flares or pyrotechnics of any type, yet no arrests were made during the game.
Police are investigating with specialist football unit officers in an attempt to identify those responsible.
Video evidence of fireworks landing in the South Enclosure, which houses the home support, has appeared online, with police clearly visible in the vicinity.
Another video showed Celtic fans singing an anti-Remembrance Day poppy song.
One Dundee fan, who asked not to be named, said: “Policing at Dens was an absolute shambles on Wednesday night, it was embarrassing.
“The Green Brigade (Celtic supporters group) and Celtic fans were letting off pyrotechnics at will.
“As far as I could see, no one was arrested – it’s changed days from how games used to be policed.
“It was glaringly obvious where the trouble was coming from and the police and stewards did not intervene.”
A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: “While we can confirm that no arrests were made at the game or immediately afterwards, officers from the Football Co-ordination Unit for Scotland are investigating the behaviour of supporters at the match, with a view to identifying those involved in criminal behaviour, and taking appropriate action in due course.”
A Dundee FC spokesman said: “Search protocols were in place but it’s conceded it is almost impossible to search all fans in a crowd of nearly 8,000 entering the stadium and unfortunately a small number of items did get in and were discharged.”
Celtic FC were also approached for comment.