Residents in Glasgow have flammed Celtic fans after chaotic scenes over the weekend where footie fanatics threw a huge on-street celebration to mark the team’s recent victory. Celtic Football Club won the Scottish Premiership trophy, leading to fans to throw an unofficial party in the city’s Merchant City and Trongate area, causing huge disruptions to residents of Glasgow. Prior to the event, Police Scotland issued an appeal to fans to ask them to avoid large gatherings after the game at Parkhead against St Mirren.
The football club also asked fans not to attend the unofficial title party, but the gathering went ahead anyway with locals calling it “mayem” and comparing it to a “playground”. Dozens of supporters were seen holding green flares while others scaled the Mercat Tower building. Meanwhile, some were seen climbing traffic lights. Police Scotland have confirmed that nine people in total were arrested across the day, with six in the city centre and three at the game.
Earlier in the day, a potential flashpoint between supporters of Celtic and loyalist Orange Order marchers in the city was avoided when the two groups came face to face as the march made its way past a hotel filled with footie fans.
Around 15 people were also charged, with a report to be sent to the Fiscal Procurator for offences including possessing pyrotechnics or offensive weapons, assault, and public order. Additionally, six fixed penalty notices and four recorded police warnings were given out.
“Streets in the centre of the city of Glasgow are not a playground or a party venue for supporters of Celtic or any other football or sports club,” a Merchant City and Trongate Community Council (MCTCC) spokesperson said. “Once more, they were taken over by thousands and thousands of Celtic supporters and turned into a No Go area for residents, businesses, and traffic, including emergency services and public transport.
“Celtic are a marvellous football club whose players have brought great prestige to Glasgow and Scotland, and the event was mostly good natured. Their fans deserve a celebration – but in the right place.
“Kids and adults climbed on an historic monument, traffic lights and a subway station roof. Flares, smoke bombs and firecrackers were set off. Normal life in and around Glasgow Cross and Trongate was brought to a standstill.”
They continued: “This has been the same three years in a row. It cannot be allowed to happen for a fourth successive year. At the 11th hour, Celtic Football Club issued a statement the previous day asking their fans not to congregate en masse, noting it would be an unauthorised gathering. While we are grateful that at long last the Club spoke out, thousands of fans ignored the belated appeal.
“It’s clear Celtic can’t control its supporters when they take to the streets. We repeat our request, made two years ago, that should there be another such occasion the Club organises – at its cost – its own celebration at Parkhead, the Emirates across the road from the stadium, Glasgow Green or any other venue of its choice.
“Several hundred police did their duty at great cost to the public purse. Glasgow City Council cleansing staff faced the massive task of clearing up the mess of bottles, cans and other rubbish – yet another expense to taxpayers.
“We’ll be reviewing Saturday’s events with Glasgow City Council, the police and our Scottish Parliamentary representatives, and will continue to press for urgent actions by all parties involved. It may now be time for the Scottish Professional Football League to consider its own sanctions.”
Meanwhile, Chief Superintendent Emma Croft, divisional commander for Greater Glasgow, said: “While some fans respected the appeal from police and partners to act responsibly, thousands didn’t and descended on Glasgow Cross causing significant disruption to the city.
“This mass assembly of people also had an impact on some local businesses who took the decision to close early or completely as a consequence. A significant majority of those who congregated were highly intoxicated, with evidence of drug misuse requiring medical intervention. A number of people were admitted to local hospitals as a consequence.
“There were numerous incidents of anti-social behaviour including the reckless discharge of pyrotechnics. Several people scaled the Mercat Tower and other street furniture requiring assistance. “Officers took decisive action to clear the area and prevent further disorder when it was safe to do so. Thankfully there were no reports of injuries to officers.
“We will continue to work with partners to achieve a safer and less disruptive way for fans to celebrate safely.”