Rangers news as criminal offence verdict emerges v Dundee
Police Scotland and the Scottish Premiership have officially condemned Rangers fans’ pyrotechnic display against Dundee after the game was forced to be stopped, according to The Scotsman.
The SPFL clash on 1 November was paused for 18 minutes shortly after kick-off as the smoke set off alarms in the stadium, yet no club has yet been sanctioned for scenes such as these.
Police Superintendent Iain Wales slammed the fans’ actions, claiming that while the use of pyrotechnics is a criminal offence, it is also extremely dangerous for everybody attending the fixture.
As shared in The Scotsman’s report, the SPFL statement read: “The extensive use of pyrotechnics at the match at Dens Park is very concerning and unwelcome.
“The disruption to the game is obviously extremely regrettable. We await the delegate report and will be liaising with Police Scotland on the incident.”
Meanwhile, the full statement from Superintendent Wales read: “The safety of the public and officers is our priority. Due to a number of pyrotechnics, including smoke bombs and flares being set off in the stands, the game was stopped.
“Players were removed from the pitch and returned a short time later. Taking pyrotechnics into a football stadium is not only an offence, it is extremely dangerous.
“It is tremendously disappointing and worrying that despite repeated warnings about the risk, these are still brought to matches. Luckily there were no reports of any injuries, however, the consequences could have been much worse.
“It’s only a matter of time before someone is seriously injured. Although no arrests were made at the game, retrospective enquiries are being carried out.”
Mixed opinions
There is no doubt that pyrotechnic displays are a sight to behold. The wall of Rangers fans lit up red in the stands was certainly a spectacle, and grabbed the attention of many, although the inevitable mixed reviews of the display arrived very quickly.
With both the police and the SPFL quick to condemn the actions, that response was inevitable. Ultimately, it is illegal to carry pyrotechnics into a football stadium, and they now claim that those responsible will be banned, although that may be easier said than done.
Due to the size and scale of their usage in the game, would it be a realistic expectation to identify every person involved? Yes, it is illegal, but what can be done other than dish out bans to every single person involved?
But when pyro is allowed in football grounds all over the world, notably in Germany, Italy and France where fan groups use them to create fantastic displays in the stands, it has to be questioned why in this country is there a particular focus against their use.
In other Rangers news, a Sky Sports journalist shared a new SPFL update after the incident.