Celtic’s title celebration marred by fan unrest
Police Scotland has called on Celtic to be “more accountable” following fan disorder during the side’s title celebrations, reports BritPanorama. Hundreds of fans poured onto the pitch after Callum Osmand netted into an empty Hearts net to secure the title for Celtic, while others took to the streets of Glasgow.
Assistant Chief Constable Mark Sutherland stated, “On this issue, more must be done. Celtic must be more accountable, supported by the local authority with police, to ensure there are safe spaces for people to celebrate, that are licensed, controlled. And this level of disorder that our officers have faced doesn’t happen again.”
During the celebration, two officers were injured, and many more faced cancelled rest days. Sutherland expressed frustration, saying, “Absolutely. I have many more officers who have had rest days cancelled. Over 400 people had to have their rest day cancelled. Next year, we must have a better plan and a better contingency, so that there’s not such a big impact on our officers and staff.”
Police Scotland confirmed they are “engaging” with Hearts regarding reports of assaults on players during the pitch invasion, which Hearts described as “deeply disturbing”. The club has condemned the “shameful scenes”, noting a “menacing and threatening atmosphere inside the stadium” and is working closely with police to investigate the incidents.
The match, which had only 30 seconds left of stoppage time when it was abruptly halted, left Hearts players confused about whether the game had officially concluded. Following the events, a statement from Police Scotland indicated that the circumstances of the incident are under review.
In addition to the injuries to officers, bottles and missiles were reportedly thrown during the chaotic scenes. Sutherland noted that while most fans behaved responsibly, those who exhibited “unacceptable levels of violence and anti-social behaviour” will face consequences. “Those involved should be in no doubt that they will be identified and arrested,” he added.
This incident highlights the increasing tension during celebratory events and the need for thorough planning to ensure the safety of both fans and officials. As football continues to drive passion among supporters, the challenge remains to maintain order amidst the fervour.
