Scottish football has seen some incredible moments in the month of May, with Falkirk’s triumph in the Championship, Lewis Ferguson’s historic win in the Coppa Italia, and James Forrest’s medal collection with Celtic. However, these positive events have been overshadowed by the unacceptable behavior of a few fans.
At the final Old Firm match in Govan, a Celtic supporter taunted Rangers fans with a reference to the tragic Ibrox Disaster of 1971. Similarly, at Tannadice, an Aberdeen player was injured by a seat thrown onto the pitch by one of their own fans. In another incident, a Livingston supporter spat on Ross County’s assistant manager after a game.
While these individuals will face consequences for their actions, it is disappointing to see such behavior tarnishing the sport. The First Minister, John Swinney, condemned these incidents, emphasizing the importance of celebrating without causing harm to others. Despite calls for clubs to do more to control their supporters, it is ultimately a societal issue that needs to be addressed.
The perpetrators of these acts are being held accountable, but the question remains: why does this keep happening? Perhaps it’s time for stricter penalties to deter future misconduct. A working group is considering enhancing Football Banning Orders to address the use of pyrotechnics at matches, which have become increasingly common.
The SFA and SPFL are also taking steps to ensure spectator safety, such as reducing ticket allocations for clubs whose fans use flares and smoke bombs. As the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup final approaches, there is a need for tougher measures to maintain order in stadiums. The ongoing efforts to address misconduct in Scottish football are crucial for the future of the sport.
