Chief Constable Jo Farrell says Scottish football cannot have “another season of this mayhem”
Scottish football cannot have “another season of this mayhem”, Chief Constable Jo Farrell said, as she branded the behaviour of some fans at Celtic’s Premiership title victory “an embarrassment”.
However, Police Scotland have made only 14 arrests during and after the title decider against Hearts.
Hundreds of Celtic fans streamed onto the pitch at Parkhead while the game was still being played, with thousands of supporters later descending on the Trongate area of Glasgow.
More than 900 police officers were called in to deal with the unrest, with two sustaining serious injuries, but other reports say 800. officers were present.
The police have not given details of what injuries the officers are claimed to have suffered or whether they were detained in hospital, although ‘serious’ conflicts with her reference to cuts and bruises.
Ms Farrell, pictured at the top of this page, told Thursday’s Scottish Police Authority meeting that officers “came under prolonged and sustained attack” after the May 16 match.
She added that some officers suffered injuries, “including cuts and bruises from missiles”.
She said Police Scotland would “investigate and identify perpetrators” and there would be “consequences for those who involve themselves in this disgraceful behaviour”.
In truth, the behaviour was far less serious, and there were more arrests at previous important matches.
With the football season now over, Ms Farrell added: “We cannot look towards another season of this mayhem.
“Policing will play our part with the football authorities, the clubs, the local authorities and the Scottish Government to achieve a solution that improves public safety and reduces disruption.”
Many people are of the opinion that Police Scotland should have been better prepared for what happened and that there should have been better planning for this event.