Rangers row Police criticise club over crowds
POLICE have criticised the “lack of support” from Rangers over failing to urge fans who gathered in Glasgow on Sunday to go home.
Fans congregated after the club took its first top-flight title in 10 years.
Deputy Chief Constable Malcolm Graham said he “strongly” condemned the “lack of support from Rangers Football Club over the messages we repeatedly asked them to put out to persuade fans not to go out celebrating and encourage those who did gather in large numbers to return home”.
SENIOR police officers have condemned a “lack of support from Rangers Football Club” over failing to order thousands of fans who gathered in Glasgow on Sunday to go home despite public health concerns.
Fans congregated in George Square and outside Ibrox Stadium after Rangers took their first top-flight title in 10 years.
Police made 28 arrests and seven people were issued with fixed penalty notices or will be reported to the procurator fiscal.
Reasons for arrest included assaulting police officers, breaching coronavirus regulations, disorder, use of flares and sectarian breaches of the peace.
Following the incidents, Deputy Chief Constable Malcolm Graham said: “The behaviour which we saw at the weekend was disgraceful and I utterly condemn the individuals who chose to completely disregard the coronavirus regulations, putting both the wider community and our officers at risk.
“I also strongly condemn the lack of support from Rangers Football Club over the messages we repeatedly asked them to put out to persuade fans not to go out celebrating and encourage those who did gather in large numbers to return home.
“We’ve been planning for the conclusion of the football season for some time since the league was allowed to resume and the sport is in a very privileged position given the restrictions seen across the country for almost a year.
“It was very clear through the lack of messaging that Rangers did not take seriously their responsibilities in terms of seeking to persuade their fans to celebrate safely and responsibly.”
John Swinney also took a swipe at the “lack of leadership” from Rangers for failing to ask fans to halt mass celebrations in George Square despite public health concerns.
The Deputy First Minister said the club had ignored pleas from Scottish Government officials on two occasions to engage with their fans, insisting that “the silence from Rangers was deafening”.
Rangers fans took to the streets without social distancing and many not wearing face coverings and at least five memorial benches featuring the names of Glasgow residents who have died were damaged.
Leader of Glasgow City Council, Susan Aitken said the authority was reaching out to the families concerned after the “truly dreadful damage” at George Square.
The council is hoping to replace the memorials as soon as it can and it is thought various fan groups have already raised more than £6,000.
On Sunday night, Nicola Sturgeon pleaded with the club to advise fans to disperse, but no assurance was given by Rangers.
Speaking at the Scottish Government’s daily coronavirus briefing, the Deputy First Minister said “the behaviour of some fans has been an absolute disgrace” and has “cast a shadow” over success of the club.
He added: “To see so many people deliberately flouting those rules with no regard for others is shameful.
“I think it would have been the duty of Rangers to say clearly and simply to fans that they shouldn’t have come out to celebrate and when they did they should have gone home.
“The silence from Rangers was deafening – that’s a matter of profound regret.
“The messaging of that type from the club I think could have helped to defuse the situation and crucially to disperse the crowds.”
He added that dialogue between officials and the club about the potential risk of fans congregating and “the need for the club to advise fans” over their behaviour took place at meetings on February 25 and March 6, but said it is with “profound regret that that did not happen”.
Dr Gregor Smith, chief medical officer, said it was “entirely plausible” that there could be a surge in infections following the incidents in Glasgow.
He added: “I think there’s a very real risk that we will see an uptick in infections as a result of some of the scenes over the weekend.”
Rangers have insisted the club “initiated open dialogue” over the possibility of fans celebrating the title victory. In a statement, the club added: “We have pro-actively engaged with our local MP, the Justice Minister, the Scottish Government, Police Scotland and the SPFL in relation to maintaining a cohesive message regarding public safety during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We understand the jubilance of our support across the world who recognise this has been a historic year for the club.
“We reiterate the message from our manager, Steven Gerrard, who highlighted that fans should adhere to government guidelines – stay safe, socially distance and look after each other in this difficult time.”
I think there’s a very real risk that we will see an uptick in infections as a result of some of the scenes over the weekend