I used to work at Celtic park in a senior matchday stewarding role. Police from all over Europe used to come to watch the police operation on matchdays when Celtic and Rangers played and Celtic park and Ibrox.
Now ,the only reason any police would look at Police Scotland and their matchday operation is to point out what not to do on the day of a game.
The police spend so much time and money politically policing the Green Brigade while ignoring the greater threat across the city from the right wing mobs who have spent the summer being mobilised against asylum seekers, immigrants and Scottish people who are not white.
Even watching the game I could see the problems coming, the lack of stewards trackside, the obvious lack of police trackside during the penalty shootout, the failure of Rangers to deal with their out of control right wing mob. The music and singing from the ibrox stands fostered an atmosphere of absolute hatred based in race and religion.
No one will want to touch these issues , Celtic have at least tried to rein in the worst impulses of the Celtic ultras, usually for the wrong reasons, but it certainly is time for the ultras in Scotland to admit that they are not above the law and that the same rules apply to them as to every other supporter.
This could be a watershed moment but knowing the Scottish football authorities and the police they will frame it as a Celtic problem and double down on the Green Brigade harassment while continuing to ignore the problems that led to such a vicious, racist, sectarian atmosphere. Greater accountability must be considered, closure of stands and deduction of points from offending teams must be on the cards, especially for racism and sectarianism. For the record Rangers, Celtic and Hearts all voted against strict liability in dealing with the problems caused by their fans.
I used to work at Celtic park in a senior matchday stewarding role. Police from all over Europe used to come to watch the police operation on matchdays when Celtic and Rangers played and Celtic park and Ibrox.
Now ,the only reason any police would look at Police Scotland and their matchday operation is to point out what not to do on the day of a game.
The police spend so much time and money politically policing the Green Brigade while ignoring the greater threat across the city from the right wing mobs who have spent the summer being mobilised against asylum seekers, immigrants and Scottish people who are not white.
Even watching the game I could see the problems coming, the lack of stewards trackside, the obvious lack of police trackside during the penalty shootout, the failure of Rangers to deal with their out of control right wing mob. The music and singing from the ibrox stands fostered an atmosphere of absolute hatred based in race and religion.
No one will want to touch these issues , Celtic have at least tried to rein in the worst impulses of the Celtic ultras, usually for the wrong reasons, but it certainly is time for the ultras in Scotland to admit that they are not above the law and that the same rules apply to them as to every other supporter.
This could be a watershed moment but knowing the Scottish football authorities and the police they will frame it as a Celtic problem and double down on the Green Brigade harassment while continuing to ignore the problems that led to such a vicious, racist, sectarian atmosphere. Greater accountability must be considered, closure of stands and deduction of points from offending teams must be on the cards, especially for racism and sectarianism. For the record Rangers, Celtic and Hearts all voted against strict liability in dealing with the problems caused by their fans.
Totally agree with all of this. It was obvious on the day that there was not enough of a Police presence in the stadium and its environs.
Shock , Police Scotland coming out and blaming the fans . Anything but admit self blame.
Total denial but not a surprise.
Just glad nobody was killed during the madness. HH.