AdminThe recent Old Firm match between Rangers and Celtic was marred by a disturbing incident in which a Celtic player, Arne Engels, was struck by a coin thrown from the crowd. This incident is just the latest example of the ongoing problem of crowd behavior in Scottish football. Despite the pre-match Loving Cup ceremony, which is meant to promote goodwill and respect between the two teams, the match was marked by a lack of fondness and respect from the fans.
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation, with Rangers issuing a prompt statement condemning the actions of the individual responsible. However, the response from the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) has been criticized for being inadequate and lacking in leadership. The SPFL’s statement, which described the behavior as “completely unacceptable” and called for those responsible to be dealt with severely, has been seen as a classic example of buck-passing.
The issue of crowd behavior in Scottish football is a long-standing one, and it seems to be getting worse. There have been numerous incidents of objects being thrown onto the pitch, including glass bottles, coins, and even a corkscrew. These incidents have been met with a lack of action from the authorities, and it seems that the problem is being swept under the rug.
The adoption of strict liability, which would hold clubs responsible for the actions of their fans, is likely to be discussed in the Scottish Parliament. However, many in the game are opposed to this measure, and it remains to be seen whether anything will be done to address the problem.
The incident has also highlighted the issue of sectarian singing and city centre disorder, which are also major problems in Scottish football. The SPFL’s response to these issues has been criticized for being inadequate, and it seems that the organization is more interested in paying lip service to the problem than actually doing something to address it.
The incident has also raised questions about the role of alcohol and drugs in contributing to the problem of crowd behavior. There have been reports of increasing cocaine use among fans, and some have argued that the introduction of bars in stadium concourses will only exacerbate the problem.
Overall, the incident has highlighted the deep-seated problems in Scottish football, and it remains to be seen whether anything will be done to address them. The SPFL’s response has been criticized for being inadequate, and it seems that the organization is more interested in maintaining the status quo than actually doing something to improve the game.
The incident has also sparked a wider debate about the state of Scottish football, with many calling for greater action to be taken to address the problem of crowd behavior. The fact that an £11 million footballer was struck by a coin thrown from the crowd is a stark reminder of the dangers of the game, and it is clear that something needs to be done to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.
The SPFL’s statement on the incident has been criticized for being too little, too late. The organization has been accused of being reactive rather than proactive, and it seems that they are only responding to the incident because they feel they have to, rather than because they actually want to do something to address the problem.
The incident has also highlighted the need for greater leadership and accountability in Scottish football. The SPFL and the clubs need to take a stronger stance against crowd behavior and work together to find solutions to the problem. The fact that the incident has sparked a wider debate about the state of Scottish football is a positive step, but it remains to be seen whether anything will actually be done to address the problem.
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