Police Scotland take aim at Celtic and call for 'more accountability' after fan disorder during title celebrations
Police Scotland has called on Celtic to be "more accountable" following fan disorder during the side's title celebrations.
Hundreds of fans poured onto the pitch after Callum Osmand netted into an empty Hearts net to secure the title for Celtic, while others took to the streets of Glasgow.
Assistant Chief Constable Mark Sutherland said: "On this issue, more must be done. Celtic must be more accountable, supported by the local authority with police, to ensure there is safe spaces for people to celebrate, that are licensed, controlled. And this level of disorder that our officers have faced doesn't happen again."
When asked if there is anger from the police force towards Celtic, he said: "Absolutely. I have two officers injured this morning. I have many more officers who have had rest days cancelled. Over 400 people had to have their rest day cancelled. Next year, we must have a better plan and a better contingency, so that there's not such a big impact on our officers and staff."
Police Scotland confirmed officers are "engaging" with Hearts if any of their "players were assaulted" during Celtic's pitch invasion.
Hearts noted "deeply disturbing reports of serious physical and verbal abuse towards our players and staff, both on the pitch and elsewhere" during the invasion.
Following the incident, Police Scotland released a statement saying: "We are engaging with Heart of Midlothian FC to establish if any of their players were assaulted on the pitch at the conclusion of the event. The circumstances of the incident are being reviewed."
Despite having 30 seconds left of stoppage time, the match did not restart, with Hearts players quickly leaving the pitch.
Following the match, Hearts said: "The pitch invasion caused a chaotic end, and nobody seemed to know whether or not the match had been brought to a finish."
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Hearts condemned the "shameful scenes", describing it as a "menacing and threatening atmosphere inside the stadium".
The club added: "We expect the strongest action possible to be taken by the footballing authorities in the interests of protecting the safety of players and supporters, and the integrity of our game."
Hearts confirmed it is "investigating this fully and are in dialogue with Police Scotland".
Police officers were left injured after "serious disorder" broke out among Celtic fans in Glasgow last night.
Fans were spotted scaling traffic lights and other street furniture – with riot police bussed in to disperse the crowds as the evening went on.
Police Scotland confirmed bottles and other missiles were hurled at officers who had entered the crowd to respond to a medical emergency.
The streets were largely cleared of people by around 7.30pm, although piles of litter remained.
Assistant Chief Constable Mark Sutherland said most fans had heeded appeals to behave responsibly – but laid into those who caused carnage.
"Once again, we have seen unacceptable levels of violence and anti-social behaviour, and Police Scotland's officers have been left to deal with the consequences," he said.
"Being assaulted is not part of the job, and regrettably, a number of them were injured.
"The levels of criminal behaviour witnessed, in particular the hostility directed towards our officers, is simply unacceptable and cannot be tolerated.
"Those involved should be in no doubt that they will be identified and arrested."
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