Disorder 'shrugged off' by Scottish football authorities, says chief constable Jo Farrell

Scotland’s top police officer has claimed that disorder and thuggery are “shrugged off” by football authority bodies in Scotland and that “accountability and ownership” is lacking.

Chief constable Jo Farrell has called for those involved in violence to face immediate consequences, including sanctions, handed down by the Scottish FA and SPFL.

Speaking at a meeting of the Scottish Police Authority, Ms Farrell said measures including a complete ban on fans entering the ground or a 20% reduction could “very quickly” control and change fan behaviour.

Police have made nearly 50 arrests in connection with football fan disorder seen in recent months.

Fans clashed on the pitch after Celtic knocked Rangers out of the Scottish Cup on penalties at Ibrox on March 8.

Officers, supporters, members of the coaching staff, and players were caught up in the violence, which spilled out into the streets.

A total of 33 arrests have been made so far, while an investigation into the disorder has also been launched by the Scottish FA.

Police have made 14 arrests in connection with the large-scale disorder seen following the Scottish Premiership final on May 17.

Bottles and other missiles were thrown at officers as thousands of Celtic fans celebrated the club’s win in the Trongate area of Glasgow.

Crowds of Celtic fans gather at the Trongate to celebrate Getty Images

Officers in riot gear worked to clear the streets after the crowd turned “hostile” while paramedics attended a medical emergency.

Chief constable Farrell branded the incidents “an embarrassment” and said the force would work with the clubs, local authorities and the Scottish Government to avoid “another season of mayhem”.

“We’ve seen in recent years, including over recent weeks, an escalation in disorder which has been associated with football in Glasgow”, the chief constable said during a meeting of the Scottish Police Authority.

“Officers have come under prolonged and sustained attack with injuries, including cuts and bruises from missiles

“I want to be clear that this violence and disorder is to be condemned at every opportunity by everyone who cares about Scotland, Glasgow and football.

“It is an embarrassment. Club employees, ground staff, and police officers should not be subject to violence in the course of their work. Communities, businesses, and members of the public should not face violence, disruption and damage.

“This behaviour also diverts finite public services, including policing, from other duties which could otherwise support communities and victims of crime.”

“As evidenced, we investigate and identify perpetrators, we make arrests, and there are consequences for people who involve themselves in this disgraceful behaviour.

“We cannot look towards another season of this mayhem. Policing will play our part with football authorities, the clubs, the local authorities and the Scottish Government to achieve a solution that includes public safety and reduces disruption.”

Ms Farrell called on the Scottish football authorities to strengthen their regulatory framework around football and set out clear sanctions for behaviour such as pitch invasions.

She added: “There is no doubt that accountability and ownership are lacking around football in Scotland. disorder, violence and thuggery seem to be shrugged off.

If we draw parallels with UEFA, when they issue sanctions, fan behaviour changes. What I’m not seeing is a very clear intent by those football authorities.

“If football authorities are clear on the sanctions for poor fan behaviour, 20% reduction in fans entering the ground, 40% a complete ban. In my view, we will very, very quickly control and change fan behaviour.

“At the moment, sanctions through the criminal court, led by Police Scotland, come some 12 to 24 months after the fact.

“There isn’t an immediate impact on individuals. Weeks and months roll by, and nobody can see the consequences on individuals”