After a 24 hour silence Sevco have issued a statement demanding action following the pitch invasion at the end of the Scottish Cup Final.
Fortunately there is no suggestion that any players or members of staff suffered any injuries at Hampden.
Tonight’s nameless statement has the fingerprints of James Traynor all over it as everyone and anyone is blamed with the pitch invasion by their own supporters entirely done to protect the Sevco players, Nicola Sturgeon also merits a mention,
Despite Stewart Regan’s public apology to the Ibrox directors more decisive action is required from Hampden with Rod Petrie of Hibs also highlighted in the angry statement.
The statement opens with: “Rangers finds it incomprehensible that no one, either from within the Scottish FA or Hibernian Football Club, has condemned Hibernian’s supporters following the violent scenes at the end of yesterday’s Scottish Cup final when Rangers players and members of our backroom staff were physically and verbally assaulted. We have not even had the courtesy of any contact whatsoever from Hibernian to ask after the wellbeing of those who were attacked by their club’s supporters.
“There must be a full independent investigation into the shameful scenes at Hampden. Rangers is also at a complete loss to understand why certain individuals have hastily attempted to gloss over the appalling events which unfolded at the end of Saturday’s final.
“No matter how many times Hibernian’s chairman and Scottish FA vice-chairman, Rod Petrie, and certain other biased commentators wish to play down Saturday’s mayhem and violence, the truth must not be distorted. What unfolded on Saturday cannot and must not be put down to exuberance. That is a complete insult to Rangers, our supporters, and those individuals who were intimidated and attacked.”
Excusing the violence of their own fans the statement adds: “We acknowledge that a tiny minority of Rangers fans also encroached on the pitch but only after having been faced with prolonged and severe provocation and in order to protect our players and officials who were being visibly attacked in front of them. Any club’s supporters would have done the same.”
And in a final attempt to sell season tickets the media also comes under attack with: “Certain media outlets have also attempted to distort reality.
“In the case of the BBC this is, of course, not news. BBC employees, in particular Stuart Cosgrove, believe Rod Petrie’s comments to be ‘balanced’ and others speak of a ‘minority’ of Hibernian supporters. Another, Tom English, who was not even at the match, would prefer the authorities to focus on Rangers fans’ reaction. We will not endure this insult.”
Turning to politics Sturgeon is the target with: “It must also be said that it was not at all helpful to see leading members of the Scottish Government, including the First Minister whose parish is Govan, passing comment on social media without any attempt to condemn the behaviour of Hibernian’s fans. These failures are unbecoming of our elected representatives.”
The Magic Hat has still to comment on his teams defeat, side stepping yesterday’s after match media interviews.
