A top Scottish police chief has criticised Celtic and Rangers for failing to condemn their fans’ behaviour at Ibrox — and told them to “eliminate” ultras.
Chief Constable Jo Farrell is the latest to comment on the chaos that erupted following the Scottish Cup quarter-final, which the visitors won on penalties after a stalemate.
Both groups of supporters made their way onto the pitch and violently clashed with each other, while a member of Celtic’s staff was allegedly attacked by a Rangers fan. There was also disorder outside the stadium.
There have been nine arrests and Police Scotland have warned there could be more to follow.
Farrell has now addressed the issue at the Scottish Parliament’s public audit committee.
She said: “The events of Sunday afternoon were absolutely disgraceful and I condemn the people involved in violence.
“Fans, families, friends, people working at the clubs, my officers, do not go to and work within that environment to witness or receive or be on the receiving end of threats and violence.”
Discussing the fact there has been extensive media discussion since, but absolutely nothing from either club, she added: “When we got to Monday evening, there was still no commentary from either of those clubs in respect of the violence that was witnessed. Nobody came out to condemn that violence.”
Farrell was then asked if the clubs should be withholding tickets from ultras in an attempt to prevent these incidents.
She said: “That would seem like an obvious action that needs to be considered and taken by the clubs.
“How do they ensure the safety of their broader fan base and eliminate those individuals who come in and have prepared the balaclavas and the pyrotechnics in order with the intent of causing disruption, harm to those other people around them.”