Police probe ‘sectarian film of Rangers players’ claim
POLICE are probing footage which “apparently” shows Rangers players using sectarian language as they celebrated their title win.
The club yesterday denied the mobile phone video was genuine and said it is confident “no criminality took place”.
Thousands of fans massed in George Square on Saturday to celebrate Rangers winning their first Scottish Premiership championship since 2011.
A senior police officer said those who took part in scenes of violence and disorder should be banned.
Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie said Police Scotland had arrested 28 people and will be identifying others and sharing that information with Rangers.
Officers are now looking into social media footage of players appearing to use sectarian language during the celebrations.
A Police Scotland statement said: “We are aware of a video circulating on social media apparently showing Rangers players using sectarian language while celebrating on Saturday. We
are assessing its contents and will liaise with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service as part of our inquiries.”
Justice Sectrary Humza Yousaf said any player who is found to have used sectarian language should be removed by Rangers.
He tweeted: “I have also been made aware of this clip, if (and I stress if) this clip is genuine then any player or staff member found to be guilty of anti-catholic hatred should be shown the door by the club. It is right Police Scot investigate & determine the facts around it.”
In a statement, Rangers said it was aware of a video circulating on social media.
The club said: “It is evident that this video was shared with an adjoining narrative which attempts to discredit our players and the reputation of Rangers Football Club. This highlights the dangers of ‘trial by social media’.
“It is deeply concerning that this video has been taken as genuine and has been shared widely, including by some political representatives, who should be mindful of their influence and legal processes.
“Our squad is richly diverse. Sectarianism is unacceptable and has no place in our club, which is underlined by our Everyone Anyone campaign.
“We are confident that no criminality took place, we have sought legal advice and look forward to cooperating with Police Scotland.”
George Square was strewn with hundreds of broken bottles, plastic bags and spent flares after flagdraped fans had been seen attacking each other and launching bollards and other missiles at riot police. Five police officers were injured.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney told the BBC’S Good Morning Scotland: “Every exhortation was given by Police Scotland, the Scottish Government and Rangers Football Club for fans not to assemble.
“But unfortunately 15,000 people did so and they started off behaving peacefully and then they descended into thuggish behaviour in George Square.
“I’m limited as to what I can say this morning because there’s an ongoing police investigation but the conduct on Saturday was absolutely reprehensible.”
He added: “There was absolutely no need for them to gather, absolutely no need whatsoever, and the warnings were given very clearly... and then some of them went on to behave in a loutish and thuggish fashion in George Square devastating property, circulating and expressing vile anti-catholic bigotry in the centre of the city of Glasgow.”
Calum Steele, general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation (SPF), tweeted images of injured officers, including broken bones and lost teeth.
He described the scenes as “horrific”, also telling the BBC programme: “Many of the officers who are quite long in the tooth have probably quite rightly described it as some of the worst violence that they’ve experienced in over 20 years of police service.”
Mr Ritchie said the policing response over the weekend was “absolutely the right one”.
He told the BBC: “I don’t think the supporters that engaged in that type of behaviour are the type of supporters that Rangers would want associated with them.”
Asked if he was saying they should be banned, Mr Ritchie said: “Absolutely. I think they’ve besmirched the great name of the club, and I don’t think they should be anywhere near a football ground after this.”
In a statement, Rangers said winning the title was a “historic day” and global support from fans has been “incredible”.
It continued: “We are grateful to Scottish Government officials, Glasgow City Council and Police Scotland for the constructive engagement in the lead-up to the weekend’s game. We worked closely with the authorities for two weeks before Saturday’s match to ensure a consistency of message.
“Sadly, a small minority of people behaved inappropriately and in a manner not reflective of our support. Some of the scenes were unacceptable and have besmirched the good name of Rangers Football Club.”