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Rangers fans have been cleared from Glasgow’s George Square after police confirmed that “rising disorder” meant they would have to enforce public order legislation.
Thousands of fans took to the city’s streets on Saturday after the football team won its first Scottish Premiership trophy in a decade, despite warnings against mass public gatherings due to coronavirus restrictions.
Supporters celebrated in the square for hours – chanting and setting off fireworks – leading to Police Scotland forming a line and clearing the group just after 9pm.
Ch Supt Mark Sutherland said that due to the “rising level of disorder taking place and the threat to public safety”, the force would have to “make use of powers available to officers under Section 14 of the Public Order Act 1986 to disperse those who have chosen to gather there”.
“This decision has not been taken lightly, the senior police officer on the ground will give direct instructions to those gathered and anyone in George Square should leave immediately,” he added.
The scenes, which Scotland’s justice secretary Humza Yousaf labelled “selfish and irresponsible behaviour”, began earlier in the day when a large group gathered in George Square following Rangers’ victory.
Fans began singing and dancing after ex-Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard’s side defeated Aberdeen 4-0 at Ibrox.
“This selfish and irresponsible behaviour endangers the lives of others – supporters, the police on duty and the wider community,” Mr Yousaf said.
“We have already discussed this with Rangers and will liaise with Police Scotland and the football authorities to consider what further action can be taken.”
The force also confirmed they had made arrests in relation to anti-social behaviour.
Over 20 officers are understood to have surrounded fans at the central landmark, with some being seen to confiscate alcohol and pour it away while instructing revellers to “disperse and take personal responsibility” for their actions.
After the trophy was lifted, many fans made their way into the heart of Glasgow, at which point the Union Bears fan group announced plans to walk from the stadium to George Square.
Rangers fans celebrate in George Square, Glasgow, despite the city still being in Scotland’s level 3 of lockdown
(PA)
Thousands of fans gather in central Glasgow, many of who do not appear to be wearing face masks
(Getty)
Despite an earlier request for a fan procession to the city centre being declined by police, officers later decided to escort large groups of supporters as they made their way to George Square in order to minimise disruption.
The Scottish government previously criticised Rangers’ response after thousands of fans gathered outside Ibrox, and in George Square, on the weekend they actually won the title back in early March.
“Today is understandably a significant day for Rangers Football Club and its supporters,” Ch Supt Sutherland said earlier today, adding: “We are however still in the midst of a pandemic and under coronavirus restrictions people should not be gathering for any reason. The overarching aim of Police Scotland’s operation today remains public safety.”
It comes after Nicola Sturgeon issued a plea to residents of Glasgow’s southside – where she is the incumbent MSP – to get tested to help the government quash a current spike in cases, including the detection of India’s highly contagious variant.
Rangers fans celebrate before being dispersed by police
(PA)
“If you live in – or have recently spent time in – the Southside of Glasgow, PLEASE help get this outbreak under control by taking a test,” the first minister tweeted on Saturday. “I’ve just done so myself – thankfully negative!”
According to current Covid guidelines in Glasgow, large gatherings outdoors are not permitted.
Ms Sturgeon announced earlier this week that while the majority of Scotland will leave current strict measures on 17 May, Glasgow will remain in level 3 of lockdown restrictions.
A swathe of angry Glaswegians took to social media to express their disdain with the scenes coming out of the city on Saturday.
“Glasgow still in tier 3 and thousands of Rangers fans swarming the city centre today… you were saying?” one woman wrote in response to a man posting that fans “wore masks” and were all now home.
“Celtic have been champions of Scotland for 9 years winning a quadruple treble and not once has Glasgow seen violent scenes like this,” another woman wrote.
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