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| Rangers' title celebrations: Club accused of 'lack of leadership' over crowds | Rangers' title celebrations: Club accused of 'lack of leadership' over crowds |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Scotland's deputy first minister has accused Rangers of a "lack of leadership" after fans gathered in Glasgow for title celebrations. | Scotland's deputy first minister has accused Rangers of a "lack of leadership" after fans gathered in Glasgow for title celebrations. |
| Large numbers of supporters flouted Covid rules to gather at Ibrox Stadium and George Square on Sunday after the club won the Scottish Premiership. | Large numbers of supporters flouted Covid rules to gather at Ibrox Stadium and George Square on Sunday after the club won the Scottish Premiership. |
| John Swinney said the scenes were "an absolute disgrace" and undermined recent progress against the virus. | John Swinney said the scenes were "an absolute disgrace" and undermined recent progress against the virus. |
| Rangers said its fans had been urged to follow the lockdown guidelines. | Rangers said its fans had been urged to follow the lockdown guidelines. |
| During the daily coronavirus briefing, Mr Swinney said Rangers had been reminded of the need for fans to adhere to the restrictions by the Scottish government and Police Scotland during meetings on 26 February and 5 March. | During the daily coronavirus briefing, Mr Swinney said Rangers had been reminded of the need for fans to adhere to the restrictions by the Scottish government and Police Scotland during meetings on 26 February and 5 March. |
| "It is a matter of profound regret that that did not happen," he said. | "It is a matter of profound regret that that did not happen," he said. |
| When fans fall foul of coronavirus rules | |
| 'More to come' after title win - Gerrard | 'More to come' after title win - Gerrard |
| "The Scottish government will be making our extreme disappointment at the lack of leadership clear to the team management." | "The Scottish government will be making our extreme disappointment at the lack of leadership clear to the team management." |
| Mr Swinney said the title win was a "special moment" for the club, but that it was "shameful" to see so many people deliberately flouting the rules. | Mr Swinney said the title win was a "special moment" for the club, but that it was "shameful" to see so many people deliberately flouting the rules. |
| "Events like yesterday risk spreading the virus and they show no regard or respect at all for the millions of households across Scotland who have stuck to the rules, who have not been able to meet up with friends and family to fully celebrate birthdays and other milestones or, in some case, attend funeral services of their loved ones," he said. | "Events like yesterday risk spreading the virus and they show no regard or respect at all for the millions of households across Scotland who have stuck to the rules, who have not been able to meet up with friends and family to fully celebrate birthdays and other milestones or, in some case, attend funeral services of their loved ones," he said. |
| He added that Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf has spoken to the club and Police Scotland on Monday morning, and that investigations were under way to trace some of the supporters responsible. | He added that Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf has spoken to the club and Police Scotland on Monday morning, and that investigations were under way to trace some of the supporters responsible. |
| Police Scotland said officers made 28 arrests for a variety of offences. | Police Scotland said officers made 28 arrests for a variety of offences. |
| The force also said seven people were issued with fixed penalty notices or would be the subject of a report to the procurator fiscal. | The force also said seven people were issued with fixed penalty notices or would be the subject of a report to the procurator fiscal. |
| Offences included assaulting police officers, sectarian-related breaches of the peace, breaking Covid rules, and pyrotechnic use. | Offences included assaulting police officers, sectarian-related breaches of the peace, breaking Covid rules, and pyrotechnic use. |
| Glasgow City Council said a number of memorial benches donated by grieving relatives had been damaged and that it was working to trace the families. | |
| The council said the damage was "deplorable" but promised that the benches, one of which was apparently in memory of a 10-year-old girl, would be restored. | |
| A crowdfunding appeal to pay for the repairs, set up by the owner of the Louden Tavern at Ibrox Stadium, quickly raised its £5,500 target, with any extra funds being donated to the Anthony Nolan cancer charity. | |
| ➡️ George Square Memorial BenchesWe’ve had cleansing and parks teams in George Square since Sunday night, clearing debris and assessing the damage to furniture and plants. (1/9) pic.twitter.com/wekDZDbNtP | |
| Under current Scottish government coronavirus guidance, public gatherings are banned and a maximum of two people from two households are allowed to meet outdoors. | Under current Scottish government coronavirus guidance, public gatherings are banned and a maximum of two people from two households are allowed to meet outdoors. |
| Rangers took the title for the first time since 2011 after Celtic failed to beat Dundee United on Sunday. | Rangers took the title for the first time since 2011 after Celtic failed to beat Dundee United on Sunday. |
| Crowds of fans took to the streets after the game. Some let off flares while others chanted and waved flags outside the club ground, while supporters also gathered in George Square to celebrate. | Crowds of fans took to the streets after the game. Some let off flares while others chanted and waved flags outside the club ground, while supporters also gathered in George Square to celebrate. |
| Rangers issued a statement on Monday, in which the club said it had "proactively engaged" with its local MP, the justice minister, the Scottish government, Police Scotland and the SPFL in a bid to to maintain "a cohesive message regarding public safety during the Covid-19 pandemic". | Rangers issued a statement on Monday, in which the club said it had "proactively engaged" with its local MP, the justice minister, the Scottish government, Police Scotland and the SPFL in a bid to to maintain "a cohesive message regarding public safety during the Covid-19 pandemic". |
| The statement continued: "We understand the jubilance of our support across the world who recognise this has been a historic year for the club. | The statement continued: "We understand the jubilance of our support across the world who recognise this has been a historic year for the club. |
| "Nevertheless, it has been of great frustration for all football fans across the world that they have not been able to watch their team within stadiums, especially for the loyal Rangers season-ticket holders who have stood by this football club through thick and thin in the last decade. | "Nevertheless, it has been of great frustration for all football fans across the world that they have not been able to watch their team within stadiums, especially for the loyal Rangers season-ticket holders who have stood by this football club through thick and thin in the last decade. |
| "We reiterate the message from our manager, Steven Gerrard, who highlighted that fans should adhere to government guidelines - stay safe, socially distance and look after each other in this difficult time." | "We reiterate the message from our manager, Steven Gerrard, who highlighted that fans should adhere to government guidelines - stay safe, socially distance and look after each other in this difficult time." |
| On Twitter, the statement was accompanied by a clip of Gerrard from Friday's pre-match press conference. | On Twitter, the statement was accompanied by a clip of Gerrard from Friday's pre-match press conference. |
| The club said it was aware that there could be more "significant milestones" this season, and would "continue to proactively engage with key stakeholders to maintain a cohesive message in relation to government guidance at this present time". | The club said it was aware that there could be more "significant milestones" this season, and would "continue to proactively engage with key stakeholders to maintain a cohesive message in relation to government guidance at this present time". |
| However, Mr Swinney said messaging from the club on Sunday could have helped diffuse the situation and disperse the crowds. | However, Mr Swinney said messaging from the club on Sunday could have helped diffuse the situation and disperse the crowds. |
| "I think it would have been the duty of Rangers to say clearly and simply to fans that they shouldn't have come out to celebrate and when they did they should have gone home," he said. | "I think it would have been the duty of Rangers to say clearly and simply to fans that they shouldn't have come out to celebrate and when they did they should have gone home," he said. |
| "The silence from Rangers was deafening - that's a matter of profound regret." | "The silence from Rangers was deafening - that's a matter of profound regret." |
| Meanwhile, there has been criticism of the police response to the crowds in Glasgow. | Meanwhile, there has been criticism of the police response to the crowds in Glasgow. |
| Ch Supt Mark Sutherland, divisional commander for Greater Glasgow Division, said officers were met with a "very difficult set of circumstances". | Ch Supt Mark Sutherland, divisional commander for Greater Glasgow Division, said officers were met with a "very difficult set of circumstances". |
| "Our priority was public safety and this included reducing the risk of disorder, road safety and effective crowd management among the complexities of a vociferous crowd," he said. | "Our priority was public safety and this included reducing the risk of disorder, road safety and effective crowd management among the complexities of a vociferous crowd," he said. |
| "This included established crowd control measures to prevent serious disorder in multiple areas and protect the public." | "This included established crowd control measures to prevent serious disorder in multiple areas and protect the public." |
| Ch Supt Sutherland praised the professionalism of his officers and in the face of a "challenging set of circumstances." | Ch Supt Sutherland praised the professionalism of his officers and in the face of a "challenging set of circumstances." |
| Scotland's chief medical officer Dr Gregor Smith warned there was a "real risk" the celebrations would lead to a spike in Covid infections in the coming weeks. | Scotland's chief medical officer Dr Gregor Smith warned there was a "real risk" the celebrations would lead to a spike in Covid infections in the coming weeks. |
| He added: "It was quite demoralising to see so many people coming together. | He added: "It was quite demoralising to see so many people coming together. |
| "I am sure my colleagues across the NHS who at this stage in the pandemic are pretty exhausted felt the same way when they saw so many people mixing so freely without distancing or masks." | "I am sure my colleagues across the NHS who at this stage in the pandemic are pretty exhausted felt the same way when they saw so many people mixing so freely without distancing or masks." |
| Football supporters have also been accused of breaking coronavirus rules in Belfast and in Corby - which is known as "little Scotland" - following Rangers' win. | Football supporters have also been accused of breaking coronavirus rules in Belfast and in Corby - which is known as "little Scotland" - following Rangers' win. |
| Last May thousands of Liverpool fans flouted social distancing guidelines and gathered outside Anfield to celebrate the club's first Premier league title in 30 years. | Last May thousands of Liverpool fans flouted social distancing guidelines and gathered outside Anfield to celebrate the club's first Premier league title in 30 years. |
| And in November hundreds of Celtic supporters defied the level four restrictions and converged on Celtic Park to call for the removal of the club's then manager Neil Lennon. | And in November hundreds of Celtic supporters defied the level four restrictions and converged on Celtic Park to call for the removal of the club's then manager Neil Lennon. |
| RULES: What are the restrictions in your area? | RULES: What are the restrictions in your area? |
| LOCKDOWN: Six months that changed our lives | LOCKDOWN: Six months that changed our lives |
| CASES: Where are the latest cases in Scotland? | CASES: Where are the latest cases in Scotland? |
| VACCINE: When will Scots be vaccinated against Covid? | VACCINE: When will Scots be vaccinated against Covid? |
| WHO? The people who have died with Covid-19 | WHO? The people who have died with Covid-19 |