Alcohol and Football
The Herald and Daily Record newspapers both report on crowd trouble at recent Rangers games which, as everyone knows, is fuelled by drunken, often sectarian, fans.
Now CCTV cameras cover every inch of football stadiums these days, so the the two clubs ought to be able to identify the hooligan element involved and, with the help of the police, ensure that they are prosecuted and prevented from attending football matches for many years to come.
If and when that happens, I would say that the present restrictions on selling alcohol at Scottish football grounds can finally be relaxed.
Rangers facing action after crowd trouble
RANGERS could face action from the SPFL after the league body launched a probe into the crowd trouble which marred Friday night's match with Hibernian.
Trouble flared between rival sets of fans after Scott Robertson opened the scoring during the Easter Road side's 2-0 win at Ibrox, missiles being thrown and punches being exchanged in the same corner of the ground, between the Broomloan Stand and the Sandy Jardine Stand, where there had been bother at the recent abandoned match against Hearts.
After the issue was raised at a customary debrief with the safety officers of both clubs, the Sunday Herald understands SPFL delegate Alan Dick will include the incident in his report. With only six rows of seats left between the fans, and fairly sparse stewarding in the area, the Ibrox club could face any number of sanctions in the event that they are deemed to have made inadequate provisions for the safety of spectators.
These stretch from a simple warning, to a fine, right through to the ultimate draconian sanction of a closure of part of the ground, although this last outcome is highly unlikely and would be deemed a drastic overreaction. Hibs are also responsible for the action of their fans.
If, however, the investigation - which will take into account CCTV footage of the incidents, and statements from the match commander and both clubs - finds that all the appropriate actions were taken then no further action will be required. This follows a three stage process - firstly in preparation for the match, in dealing with the incident when it occurred and whether the culprits were weeded out satisfactorarily afterwards.
With more than 500 people staging a protest against the current Ibrox board prior to the match, which saw Hibs overtake Ibrox into second place in the Championship, Hibs officials are also thought to have encountered difficulties entering and exiting the stadium. While the incident may be used to highlight the dangers of playing top flight football in Scotland on Friday evenings, in general the response from the authorities to these matches is thought to be favourable.
Rangers face SPFL investigation after Hibs fans at Ibrox were pelted by home supporters during 2-0 defeat
By Gordon Waddell - The Daily Record
TROUBLE kicked-off at Ibrox after Scott Robertson put the Edinburgh side ahead during the first half on Friday night.
Photo - SNS - Rangers fans are kept away from the away end at Ibrox by a line of stewards
RANGERS face an SPFL probe after poor segregation at Ibrox led to a flare-up with Hibs fans.
Trouble erupted in the wake of the Easter Road side’s first-half opener in their 2-0 triumph on Friday night.
It is understood match delegate Alan Dick WILL highlight the incident in his report to the league after a post-match security debrief with both clubs. Hibs are believed to be unhappy that only six rows of seats separated their fans from Rangers supporters in the Govan stand, with minimal stewarding between them.
The Hibee support was pelted with various objects after the opener and extra stewards were eventually drafted in.
The league are expected to get their report from the experienced delegate on Tuesday morning.
The SPFL will receive testimony from the match commander, both club’s safety officers, any relevant CCTV footage as well as Dick’s own thoughts on the incident.
If failings are identified, the host club could face sanctions ranging from warnings and fines to sections of the ground being closed.
Trouble erupted in the wake of the Easter Road side’s first-half opener in their 2-0 triumph on Friday night.
It is understood match delegate Alan Dick WILL highlight the incident in his report to the league after a post-match security debrief with both clubs. Hibs are believed to be unhappy that only six rows of seats separated their fans from Rangers supporters in the Govan stand, with minimal stewarding between them.
The Hibee support was pelted with various objects after the opener and extra stewards were eventually drafted in.
The league are expected to get their report from the experienced delegate on Tuesday morning.
The SPFL will receive testimony from the match commander, both club’s safety officers, any relevant CCTV footage as well as Dick’s own thoughts on the incident.
If failings are identified, the host club could face sanctions ranging from warnings and fines to sections of the ground being closed.
It’s the second time in a month Rangers have been at the centre of a similar complaint.
Their abandoned clash with Hearts saw Tynecastle chief Ann Budge raise similar questions over the segregation of the supports in the corner allocated between the Govan and Broomloan stands.
Their abandoned clash with Hearts saw Tynecastle chief Ann Budge raise similar questions over the segregation of the supports in the corner allocated between the Govan and Broomloan stands.
