Five football fans arrested over sectarian chanting and smoke bombs...

[ian1964 10,761]

...during Stranraer v Celtic.

 

FIVE football supporters were arrested by cops investigating sectarian chanting and use of smoke bombs during Celtic’s Scottish Cup tie at Stranraer.

 

A post-match probe was launched after smoke bombs and fire crackers were let off inside the tiny Stair Park ground last month.

 

Police Scotland said they "investigated outbreaks of sectarian singing and chanting which took place" and five more people have been arrested.

 

Four people - aged between 23 and 44 - were arrested at the match.

 

Superintendent Steven Lowther, Match Commander, said: "The behaviour of a minority on the day was unacceptable.

 

"What was supposed to be an enjoyable event for all was tarnished by a group of individuals who were intent on singing sectarian songs as well as letting off smoke bombs and pyrotechnics within the crowd.

 

"It is evident that those involved had no concerns for either the safety of others or how their behaviour spoiled what should otherwise have been an event where the post-match discussion should have centred on football and not their antics.

 

"We have worked with partners and both clubs to identify those involved and as a result five more arrests have been made."

 

The Evening Times previously reported how Celtic's biggest supporters' groups have united in condemnation of yobs who continue to take banned pyrotechnics to games.

 

The Celtic Supporters' Association, the Affiliation of Registered Celtic Supporters' Clubs and the Association of Irish Celtic Supporters' Clubs, groups the club says represent tens of thousands of fans, have demanded the actions of a few had to stop.

 

Joe O' Rourke, General Secretary of the Celtic Supporters' Association, said: "The dangers to our own supporters alone make it unacceptable.

 

"We have many travelling supporters who suffer from respiratory problems, a lot of which were caused by many years working in shipyards and down mines. They deserve to be respected. "As this is an SFA authority tournament we will probably face a fine or sanctions of some form as well.

 

"A fantastic reputation built up over many years is being torn down by a small minority of our fans.

 

"I really don't know who is using the pyrotechnics but I'm asking, for the benefit of our own fans, to please stop."

 

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/14286163.Five_football_fans_arrested_over_sectarian_chanting_and_smoke_bombs_during_Stranraer_v_Celtic/

[Juancornetto 1]

Rebecca Gray will become the target of all manner of abuse now. She's also resigned from the ET and is about to take up a role with the Sun so it'll be interesting to see how if at all her un-biased writing changes.

 

I'm sure the NUJ will be along shortly to stand by one of their own.

[craig 5,199]

Not "5 fans arrested" but "5 MORE fans arrested".... Wonder how many it was in total ?

[Juancornetto 1]

Not "5 fans arrested" but "5 MORE fans arrested".... Wonder how many it was in total ?

 

4 at the match and these 5 make it 9 in total. "Jhuan Guy" is definitely not an option for them this time.