Old Firm disorder report criticizes clubs, authorities, and police response
16 reported
An independent review of crowd disorder at the Old Firm Scottish Cup quarter-final at Ibrox in March has been published, spanning 37 pages and criticizing Rangers, Celtic, the Scottish FA, the SPFL, police, and ultras from both sides. The lead author, Mark Blackbourne, a sports event consultant with Uefa experience, concluded that the scenes "came within a very small margin of becoming a violent mass confrontation." The report states that fines from governing bodies are not effective, calling for immediate restriction of crowd numbers as an opening sanction instead of warnings or suspended sentences. It details a pitch invasion by hundreds of Celtic fans after their penalty shootout win, followed by a "hostile" counter invasion by Rangers supporters, many wearing face-coverings and carrying "poles and reinforced gloves." The report notes it took police four minutes and 28 seconds to establish control, describing it as "a minor miracle that no-one suffered serious injury." It also cites operational failures, including a risk assessment that deemed a pitch incursion "unlikely," and describes ultras groups as having the feel of organized crime gangs.
What’s reported
The independent review of crowd disorder at the Old Firm Scottish Cup quarter-final at Ibrox in March took four months to be published.
The report is 37 pages long and criticizes Rangers, Celtic, the Scottish FA, the SPFL, police, and ultras from both sides.
Both clubs face disciplinary charges.
Lead author Mark Blackbourne is a sports event consultant with experience of Uefa match delegation and stadium inspection.
The report states the scenes "came within a very small margin of becoming a violent mass confrontation."
Blackbourne says fines from governing bodies are not cutting it and calls for immediate restriction of crowd numbers as an opening sanction.
The report details a pitch invasion by hundreds of Celtic fans after their penalty shootout win, followed by a "hostile" counter invasion by Rangers supporters wearing face-coverings and carrying "poles and reinforced gloves."
It took police four minutes and 28 seconds to establish control.
A steward at Ibrox accepted payment to allow fans into the stadium during the game and has been arrested.
A Celtic employee was hit in the face by a masked Rangers fan.
A Rangers player reported an episode of racial abuse.
A 10-year-old boy in the Celtic end was struck in the face by a coin.
A Celtic supporters' bus was attacked and a fan left unconscious on the street.
The Rangers mascot, Broxi Bear, was criticized for provoking Celtic fans.
The risk assessment before the game concluded that a pitch incursion was "unlikely."
The report describes ultras groups as having the feel of organized crime gangs.
Key figures
Mark Blackbourne, lead author of the independent review and sports event consultant with Uefa experience.
Rangers, Celtic, Scottish FA, SPFL, Police Scotland (mentioned as entities).
Sources: BBC News
