A NEWLY launched Rangers supporters group has called on the Scottish Football Association to request that Hibs chairman Rod Petrie resign after he described Saturday’s Scottish Cup final pitch invasion as “exuberance”.
Club 1872, which aims to unite fans of the Ibrox club under one umbrella organisation, made the call after Mr Petrie caused controversy by appearing to suggest the fans could be forgiven for their actions as they had waited 114 years to see the club lift the trophy.Rangers have already criticised Mr Petrie, accusing him of downplaying the disturbance.
Mr Petrie, the SFA vice-president, backtracked on his comments in a statement on the Easter Road club’s website on Monday evening, which condemned the “violence and unacceptable conduct” and promised to assist the independent commission set up to investigate the riot.
Club 1872, an amalgamation of the Rangers Supporters Assembly, Association, Trust, Fans Board and Rangers First, has urged the SFA to request that Mr Petrie stands down from his position following the 3-2 win.
Read more: Police ask Rangers and Hibs fans for footage of Scottish Cup Final pitch invasion
A statement read: “We call on the Scottish FA to request the immediate resignation of Hibernian chairman and SFA vice-president Rod Petrie from the SFA board.
“His comments immediately following the game, and since, have been an absolute disgrace. How can Mr Petrie justify describing the violent acts of his supporters as ‘exuberance’?
“How can he justify the lack of any apology to Rangers for the attacks on our players? We welcome the announcement by the SFA of an independent inquiry, but Mr Petrie’s comments are entirely at odds with their approach.”
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Club 1872 said it was also offering to assist police with their investigations into the events after the final and with the independent inquiry.
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