After the debacle at Snake Mountain on Sunday, we had a meeting with already scheduled with Celtic. Since the complete failure of the Police Scotland Operational Plan, obviously the main item on the agenda was the chaos at the Bigotdome.
Below is a brief summary of the meeting.
Dear Secretary
Myself, John Andrews and Joe Gallagher met with the club on Monday to discuss some Association business, but because of the chaos at Ibrox on Sunday afternoon we thought it was appropriate to make that the most important item on our agenda.
We said from the outset that the Police Operation was a shambles right from the very start by parking our buses on Broomloan Road instead of the long established place on Helen Street. We then had another blunder by trying to get 7,500 Celtic Supporters entry via a space that was used recently to accommodate 10% of that number. After navigating that small space, we found ourselves crammed into large crowds trying to gain access to the turnstiles, crowds that included children and female supporters.
The aftermath of the match just added to the chaos, how were hundreds of opposition supporters allowed to run over 100 yards towards the Celtic goal area past many stewards and police officers. Then assault not only Celtic supporters, but Celtic Staff and Players? There were many other incidents that need addressing too, like all the sectarian bile that we always get over there.
It was not a surprise to hear the Chief Constable of Police Scotland Jo Farrell tell a committee at Holyrood that the police operation worked well, and that all the blame should be attributed to both sets of supporters. I have asked that the club set up a meeting with Police Scotland ASAP so that we can make all our concerns to them face to face.
Joe.
