SPFL to work with police following 'concerning' Rangers pyro display

Published 2nd Nov 2023

The SPFL will work with Police Scotland to investigate the use of flares by Rangers fans at Dens Park on Wednesday night - describing the incident as "concerning".

Players were forced to leave the pitch after multiple pyrotechnics in the Bob Shankly end set the fire alarm off inside the stadium.

Safety checks were made with the game halted just two minutes in, with it finally getting back underway almost 20 minutes later.

Rangers went on to win the match 5-0, but the league's governing body have expressed their concern over the incident.

An SPFL spokesperson said: “The extensive use of pyrotechnics at the match at Dens Park is very concerning and unwelcome.

“The disruption to the game is obviously extremely regrettable.

“We await the delegate report and will be liaising with Police Scotland on the incident.”

After the game, Ibrox boss Philippe Clement asked fans to keep flares away from stadiums.

He said: “I hope that the club does not face sanctions.

“You come here in the warm-up and the stand is full, everyone is chanting and supporting the players, giving a lot of energy.

“Those are very important things. We feel also the dynamic between fans and players is changing and it’s because of both sides.

“It was good the team started bright again, but I think everyone will understand that it’s really good to have all this support, all these songs and all this energy – I love it – but keep the fire outside of the stadium.”

Dundee boss Tony Docherty added: “It was a bizarre night and at one stage I thought the game wasn’t going to go ahead.

“I was trying to keep the boys focused.

“Then we start the game and because of the pyros we get brought in again. There’s a debate on whether there’s a place for that but the game was almost abandoned.

“The police took control and I didn’t think we were going to go back out again. That affects focus. When it’s almost causing matches to be abandoned I think we need to address it.”

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