Rangers fans have embarrassed the national game, says Rod Petrie

by Andrew Maclean

Scottish FA President Rod Petrie says Rangers fans have brought embarrassment to the national game with their behaviour over the weekend.

Thousands of supporters broke coronavirus guidelines on Saturday as the club lifted the Premiership title.

Scenes outside Ibrox and in George Square have so far led to 28 arrests - with Police Scotland officers also sustaining injuries as they tried to break up the crowds.

Football's governing body have now come out and slammed the scenes, calling them an 'abomination'.

A statement from Scottish FA President Rod Petrie said: "The Scottish FA congratulates Rangers on winning the Scottish Premiership title.

"While the majority of the club’s fan base will have celebrated this achievement safely and in line with COVID-19 guidelines across the country and beyond, the scenes witnessed in and around Glasgow’s George Square have brought embarrassment to the national game.

"Scenes that require the First Minister, Justice Secretary, Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Federation to issue condemnatory statements, and images that dominated the news agenda throughout the weekend, represent an abomination not a celebration.

"Those responsible for sectarian singing, for vandalism and for inflicting physical damage may attach themselves to football but cannot be considered football fans. Police Scotland have made a number of arrests and more are expected to follow.

"The Scottish FA has recently issued its equality diversity and inclusion strategy, Football Unites. Events on Saturday at George Square served only to depict our game in the poorest light and we condemn the behaviour in the strongest terms.

"We empathise with fans who have been deprived of attending matches throughout this pandemic. That, however, does not excuse the behaviour of those who brought chaos to the streets in the name of football this weekend".

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