Police chief criticises Celtic and Rangers after Old Firm disorder

March 11, 2026 No Comments

Police chief criticises Celtic and Rangers after Old Firm disorder34 minutes agoShareSaveShareSaveSNSPolice officers were injured during disorder after the match at IbroxScotland’s top police officer has accused Rangers and Celtic of failing to condemn violent scenes that broke out after Sunday’s Old Firm match at Ibrox.Fans and police officers were injured and a number of people have been arrested following clashes between supporters on the pitch following Celtic’s penalty shootout win.Chief Constable Jo Farrell reported that no-one from either club had come out to condemn the disorder.Speaking at the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday morning, she reported more needed to be done to allow people to attend matches without fearing for their safety.Farrell reported she had not spoken to either club since the events on Sunday.The Scottish Football Association issued a statement less than 40 minutes after the match ended, condemning the scenes and confirming an investigation would be carried out “immediately”.

Both clubs have been active on social media since the disorder, with Celtic marking 61 years since European Cup-winning manager Jock Stein was appointed and Rangers posting a birthday message to goalkeeper Jack Butland.

BBC Scotland News has contacted Celtic and Rangers for comment.

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Farrell told Holyrood’s public audit committee that increasing resources around football matches was possible, but it would “not solve the underlying issues”.

She described the scenes as “absolutely disgraceful” adding that she condemned those involved in the violence.

“When we got to Monday evening, there was still no commentary from either of those clubs in respect of the violence that was witnessed,” she reported.

“Nobody came out to condemn that violence.

“We can put more and more resources into football, but that does not solve the underlying issue that people will be able to attend those events without fearing for their safety.”

Chief Constable Jo Farrell criticised the lack of condemnation from the clubs

Scottish Parliament TV Chief constable Jo Farrell wearing a white shirt with a black and white checked necktie and black patches on the shoulders sitting behind a microphone at the Scottish Parliament. — Chief Constable Jo Farrell criticised the lack of condemnation from the clubs

Nine people have been arrested in connection with incidents around the violence.

A 47-year-old man was charged with assaults on a coach and player after fans invaded the pitch at the end of the game, while a 54-year-old man was charged with assaulting a police officer.

Three other men, aged 20, 23 and 54, have also been charged in connection with the serious assault of a man on Helen Street after the match.

All are due to appear in court at a later date.

A 10-year-old boy was struck by a coin during the melee, while police investigations into vandalism and graffiti are also under way.

Farrell added: “Fans, families, friends, people working at the clubs, my officers, do not go there and work within that environment to receive or be on the receiving end of threats and violence.

“We witnessed one of my officers being deliberately tripped on that pitch as she ran to offer assistance to people in the stadium.

“It’s just disgraceful.”

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