NafisaA Celtic supporter has been accused by authorities after he allegedly ridiculed the Ibrox disaster during the Old Firm clash earlier this month.
Disturbing footage surfaced online after Rangers drew 1-1 with Celtic at Ibrox on May 4. In the video, a man was seen showing the numbers 66 using a mobile phone.
He then gestured the numbers with his fingers. The footage triggered a police investigation.
A total of 66 Rangers supporters perished in the stairway crush in January 1971.
Darren Malloch, 35, has been formally accused by police in relation to the incident, and a report has been submitted to prosecutors.
Malloch was terminated from his position as a project manager by his employer, Advance Construction Scotland, and was also issued a permanent ban from Celtic Park.
A spokesperson for the firm told the Record at the time: “We can confirm that an individual has been dismissed from our employment, following an incident involving completely unacceptable behaviour at the recent Rangers v Celtic football match.
“As a company, we hold all employees to the highest standards of conduct, both inside and outside the workplace.
“In line with our disciplinary procedures, we will not tolerate or condone this behaviour. We believe that Police Scotland is also investigating this incident, and therefore, we are unable to make any further comment on the matter.”
Rangers Football Club said mocking the tragedy was “abhorrent” and that it remained the bleakest day in the club’s history.
A spokesperson for Rangers said: “The Ibrox disaster remains the darkest day in our club’s history and continues to affect a number of families to this day. The mocking and celebration of any tragedy is abhorrent, and has no place in any football stadium or society as a whole.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “A 35-year-old man has been charged in connection with a breach of the peace and a report has been submitted to the procurator fiscal.”
The points were split between the Old Firm adversaries at Ibrox as the match ended 1-1 on Sunday, May 4, in a contest that was rife with controversy both on and off the pitch.
Rangers criticised their own fans for the “unacceptable” tifo presentation before the showdown at Ibrox and the supporter who hurled a bottle onto the field.
Before kick-off, the Copland Road stand revealed a large banner featuring an iconic photo of legendary Rangers boss Graeme Souness aiming a double-barrelled shotgun in the direction of Celtic fans with the caption ‘take aim against the rebel scum’.
A Rangers spokesperson stated at the time: “We also acknowledge that the tifo displayed prior to kick-off crossed a line and was unacceptable. Our approach to supporter displays has always been built on trust, with the responsibility placed on groups to exercise good judgement.
“We will reflect on how these displays are managed and engage with supporter groups to ensure the right balance of trust, responsibility and oversight is maintained moving forward.”
Nafisa
