Rangers fans accused of damaging Glasgow’s reputation
POLICE said Rangers fans had “damaged the image and reputation of Glasgow” as five officers were injured in “ugly” fan celebrations of their team’s first Premiership title in a decade.
Officers warned “many more arrests will follow” after 28 people were apprehended as supporters attacked each other and threw missiles at officers. One officer suffered a serious face wound.
Police described “disgraceful” scenes as fans converged on George Square, in Glasgow city centre, despite being warned not to.
As the city was dealing with a surge in Covid-19 infections and an extension of lockdown, police said the supporters “chose to ignore” warnings against large gatherings and took to the streets.
Thousands had to be dispersed by officers over what was described as “rising disorder” during Saturday afternoon, with fans setting off missiles and flares.
The march from Ibrox Stadium to George Square took place the day after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced Glasgow would remain under level three Covid-19 controls for another week because of surging infection rates believed to be related to the variant first detected in India.
There had been an extensive, visible police presence throughout the day as huge crowds gathered outside Ibrox before Rangers’ final game of the season against Aberdeen.
Fans congregated in George
Square during the afternoon despite warnings about rising case numbers. Footage later showed the area strewn with broken glass and debris.
Police Scotland Deputy Chief Constable Will Kerr said investigations were continuing and further arrests would be made in the coming weeks.
Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie said yesterday: “I recognise Rangers fans would have wanted to celebrate their club’s success on Saturday and it was anticipated crowds would congregate.
“Police Scotland, our partners and Rangers Football Club had all asked fans not to gather and to take personal responsibility for their actions.
“But 15,000 people chose to ignore that and took the selfish decision to gather at Ibrox and then George
Square, and a robust partnership response plan was implemented to manage them.”
Police chiefs said the force had declined a request to facilitate the march to George Square and urged the crowd to go home.
After supporters celebrated in the square for about five hours, officers said some fans became unruly.
Property was damaged, several people were assaulted and missiles and flares were thrown at officers.
“There is no easy way to stop that number of people who are intent on coming into a city from doing so without causing significant disruption to everyone else,” said Mr Kerr.
“Our policing approach will always be to manage a crowd in a situation like this, and minimise disruption to the wider public, while keeping everyone safe.
“The gathering was initially peaceful and throughout the day police managed the crowd appropriately, tackling anti-social behaviour and encouraging dispersal under Scottish Government coronavirus regulations.
“However, later, the crowd in the square became aggressive and violent, fighting with each other as the effects of alcohol took hold.
“At this point, public order officers moved in to break up the crowd and make them disperse. Fans began to throw missiles at us and five officers were injured, which is unacceptable. No one should expect to be assaulted when they go to their work.”
Police formed a line and cleared the group from the area just after 9pm, with the fans’ behaviour described by Chief Superintendent Mark Sutherland, Police Scotland’s Divisional Commander for Greater Glasgow, as “disgraceful”.
Deputy Chief Constable Kerr added: “I strongly condemn the behaviour of these supporters who not only placed our officers at risk but damaged the image and reputation of Glasgow, especially during this critical period of the pandemic.
“I would like to place on record my thanks to the officers of Police Scotland, especially those who put themselves in danger. Throughout the day, the police operation was professional and proportionate.
“So far, 28 people have been arrested for a variety of offences but we will be continuing our inquiries and my message is clear that if you have been involved in these ugly scenes then you will be identified and arrested.”
Scotland’s national clinical director, Professor Jason Leitch, said Glasgow was in a “fragile” place and it was “disappointing to see people break the rules, in whatever setting and for whatever reason”.
He added: “This virus has not gone away – we’re not joking, we’re not pretending, it’s absolutely real. And the risk, particularly now in Glasgow, is quite high and Glasgow is fragile.
“You’ve seen us make an enormously difficult decision this week on our advice that has kept a bit of Glasgow in the same level.
“It feels like a tough day to watch that yesterday if you are a business owner or a family waiting for lunch or dinner.”
Ms Sturgeon said she hoped
Rangers would “reflect on what more must be done to tackle this behaviour by fans, albeit a minority”.
The First Minister said: “In normal times, the violence and vandalism and the vile anti-catholic prejudice that was on display would have been utterly unacceptable. But mid-pandemic, in a city with cases on the rise, it was also selfish beyond belief.
“However, ultimate responsibility lies with those who behaved in such a thuggish, sectarian and selfish manner. That’s why we must let the police do their job.”
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I condemn the behaviour of supporters who not only placed our officers at risk but damaged the image and reputation of Glasgow