Ibrox anger as statement highlights attacks on disabled and elderly fans plus ‘hate crimes’
Soccer Football - Scottish Premiership - Celtic v Rangers - Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain - May 1, 2022 General view of Celtic and Rangers fans Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine
The club from Ibrox have issued a statement following reports of crowd trouble at the end of today’s Glasgow Derby.
For the first time in over two years Ibrox fans were inside Celtic Park with close to 800 loyal bears allocated with tickets.
With the match drawn there seemed to be some confusion over whether the away fans should stay behind or leave at the final whistle but as the Celtic players thanked their fans some missiles were thrown backwards and forwards between rival fans
In a statement issued to media partners The Herald, part of the Newsquest Group that includes The Celtic Way, an un-named Ibrox spokesman said:
We are disappointed with the Police reponse after the Old Firm at Parkhead today. Our support was left unprotected as they were attacked by bottles and other missiles.
Reports so far include injuries to elderly and disabled supporters. Furthermore, we are collating evidence of possible hate crimes which will be reported to Police Scotland as a matter of urgency.
We intend to raise our concerns with Police Scotland and Celtic during the debrief.
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The Elderly and Disabled Loyal have found themselves regularly targeted by heavy handed policing an inadequate stewarding during UEFA away matches.
Last month at Ibrox glass was discovered in Joe Hart’s goal-mouth at the start of the second half. No explanation has been given with no evidence of a bottle being thrown from the Copland Road Stand.
Regularly during today’s match the banned ‘Billy Boys’ song was heard, with the away fans fantasising about being knee deep in the blood of Catholics.