No Plan B? There was no Plan A: Experts ask why police allowed Rangers fans to march into Glasgow city centre

Ministers and police chiefs are under increasing pressure to explain why Rangers fans were allowed to march into Glasgow city centre where title celebrations flared into drunken violence.

Experts questioned the Scottish government’s decision to reject a plan to let 10,000 fans inside Ibrox to ­celebrate winning the league title on Saturday last week. Instead, thousands of fans gathered outside the stadium before being allowed to march to George Square.

The mayhem that ensued has been condemned, but critics have asked why more consideration was not given to allowing fans inside the stadium or ushering them to a nearby park rather than allowing them to march into the city centre.

© Andrew Cawley

The trouble came weeks after similar scenes in George Square after the club secured the title and Glasgow Labour MSP Paul Sweeney said he would be asking ministers to explain the apparent lack of contingency planning and why allowing fans into Ibrox was ruled out on the same day as 20,000 fans were at Wembley to see the FA Cup final. No fans were allowed at Hampden yesterday for the Scottish Cup final between Hibs and St Johnstone.

He said fans could have been ushered straight on to the trackside at the stadium and into their seats, bypassing internal areas and minimising contact with others. “It was perhaps foolish to rule this plan out,” he said. “Questions need to be asked and answered.”

© Andrew Cawley

The proposal from Rangers would also have seen four more parties held in the days after last Saturday’s match against Aberdeen, each for another 10,000 season-ticket holders. The club said its plan was designed to “minimise the risk of crowds gathering outside the stadium”.

But the proposal from the club’s chief executive, Stewart Robertson, on April 21 was turned down by Holyrood six days later because a ban on crowds in Level 3 areas was still in place. On the day, about 15,000 fans made their way to Glasgow’s George Square. There were 28 arrests following ugly scenes of disorder and violence. Police said more arrests would follow.

Former Labour MSP and senior police officer Graeme Pearson also fears the proposal by the club was thrown out too hastily. “Rangers made a sensible suggestion and there should have been proper consultation and a full explanation offered as to why this couldn’t be done,” he said. “Having fans allowed to march into the city centre put the police in a very difficult situation, which was unnecessary.”

Leicester-based professor John Williams, an expert on football spectator behaviour, said: “Pragmatism might suggest allowing fans in the stadium for the celebration, even if it would be difficult to limit numbers and to maintain some kind of social distancing. But that may have been the sensible option. The trade-off here would be some sort of agreement from fans there would be no celebration later outside.”

The game against Aberdeen took place two days before most of Scotland moved into Level 2 conditions, under which crowds of up to 500 are allowed, with event organisers able to apply for more. Glasgow stayed at Level 3 due to a spike in coronavirus cases.

Police Scotland confirmed to The Sunday Post that it had been consulted on the proposal by Rangers but had backed the government’s stance. A force spokesperson said: “Ahead of the match we liaised with the club, Glasgow City Council and the Scottish government and supported its decision the game should be spectator-free.”

© SNS Group / SFA

Rangers have since declined to comment but a source within Ibrox said the club was “confused” by the decision, particularly as a few hours later fans were at Wembley Stadium in London to watch the FA Cup final between Leicester and Chelsea. “Having had our proposals knocked back and seen how this could have changed the outcome of what happened last weekend, we are still disappointed and confused by the actions taken by the authorities,” the source said. “There are a lot of unanswered questions.”

Football pundit and former Celtic star Jim Duffy said if a title party had been allowed, authorities could have organised ticket sales so they knew who was inside the ground, minimising the potential for trouble. “In hindsight a controlled celebration would have been safe and sensible,” he said. “Most people would have gone home happy and in a safe and orderly manner. Everyone needs to earn from this.”

Scottish Conservative shadow minister for public health and sport Sandesh Gulhane said containing supporters inside Ibrox could have avoided the sickening scenes that followed, adding: “This situation was potentially avoidable with better engagement and planning.”

The Scottish government, however, last night stood by its decision, saying: “We have been very clear – people should not be gathering in large numbers. Enforcement of the Covid regulations on mass gatherings are an operational matter for Police Scotland.”

Meanwhile, Rangers have launched legal proceedings against “certain individuals” over comments made after a video surfacing that appeared to show its players using sectarian language while celebrating their club’s title win.