Scotland’s most senior police officer has launched a scathing critique of Rangers and Celtic, accusing both clubs of a “disgraceful” lack of commentary following the violent scenes that marred Sunday’s Old Firm Scottish Cup quarter-final.
Speaking before the Scottish Parliament’s Public Audit Committee on Wednesday morning, Chief Constable Jo Farrell expressed her disbelief that neither club had officially condemned the pitch invasions, assaults, and vandalism that took place at Ibrox. While the Scottish Football Association (SFA) issued a statement within 40 minutes of the final whistle, the two Glasgow giants have remained silent on the matter, instead opting to post unrelated content on their social media channels.
Police Officers and Public at Risk
The aftermath of Celtic’s penalty shootout victory saw hundreds of fans spill onto the pitch, leading to direct clashes between rival supporters. Chief Constable Farrell highlighted the danger her officers faced, noting that one was “deliberately tripped” while attempting to assist injured spectators.
“The events of Sunday afternoon were absolutely disgraceful, and I condemn the people involved in violence,” Farrell told MSPs. “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.”
The violence was not contained to the pitch. Police are currently investigating a serious assault on Helen Street and have confirmed that a 10-year-old boy was struck by a coin during the chaos. Farrell emphasised that neither fans nor staff should have to work in an environment where they are on the “receiving end of threats and violence.”
Nine Arrests and Counting
Police Scotland has confirmed that nine individuals have been arrested so far in connection with the disorder. Among those charged is a 47-year-old man accused of assaulting a coach and a player during the pitch invasion, and a 54-year-old man charged with assaulting a police officer.
Investigations are also ongoing into “vile” graffiti found within the stadium, which reportedly mocked the victims of the Ibrox Disaster. Despite the severity of these incidents, both clubs have continued with “business as usual” on their public platforms—Celtic marking an anniversary for Jock Stein and Rangers posting a birthday message to Jack Butland.
Solving the “Underlying Issues”
When asked if more resources were the answer to the recurring problem of Old Firm disorder, Farrell was blunt. She argued that while increasing police numbers is possible, it fails to address the cultural issues within the fanbases.
“We can put more and more resources into football, but that does not solve the underlying issue that people should be able to attend those events without fearing for their safety,” she stated. She also suggested that clubs must take a hard line against “ultras” and those who arrive at stadiums with the intent to cause harm, specifically mentioning the use of pyrotechnics and balaclavas.
As the SFA investigation continues, the silence from Ibrox and Parkhead is becoming a story in itself. Both clubs have been contacted for comment but are yet to provide an official response to the Chief Constable’s remarks.
Co-Founder of Fitba Focus and MMA UK. A lifelong Rangers fan and former player, he combines over a decade of sports media experience with a deep-seated passion for the Scottish game. From the Ibrox stands to the lower-league terraces, Frankie is dedicated to providing honest, fan-led analysis of the full Scottish pyramid.
