NICOLA Sturgeon has warned that authorities will not “turn a blind eye” to the “disgraceful and selfish” celebrations by Rangers fans – ahead of urgent talks with the club and football authorities.
Rangers fans congregated outside Ibrox and in George Square on Sunday to celebrate their team’s title victory – but ignored public health measures including social distancing and the wearing of face coverings while many were consuming alcohol.
Addressing MSPs in Holyrood, the First Minister said “the behaviour witnessed at the weekend was disgraceful and selfish”.
Ms Sturgeon said “it is natural that some of the anger” is directed towards the Scottish Government and Police Scotland, but added that “those at fault are those who breached the rules”.
The First Minister confirmed she will hold talks with Police Scotland chief constable Iain Livingstone this afternoon “to consider what further action might be necessary to avoid any repeat of the unacceptable scenes we saw at the weekend”.
READ MORE: John Swinney: 'Silence from Rangers deafening' over fans' celebrations
She added: “We will also be having further discussions this week with the football authorities and with certain football clubs who, in my view, need to show much more leadership.
“Let me be clear, in making these comments, I don’t care about the colour of the shirts.
“I said some harsh things about Celtic’s decisions at the start of this year. And as far as I am concerned in this case, Rangers Football Club did not do nearly enough to help avoid this situation arising at the weekend.”
The First Minister pointed to the fact elite sport has been allowed to continue, behind closed doors.
She said: “It would be deeply unfair if a selfish minority spoil that for the majority, and I hope that will not be the case.
“But given the fragility of the situation we face right now, we cannot simply turn a blind eye to what happened at the weekend and we won’t.
“We will report back in due course - and certainly ahead of the Old Firm match scheduled for March 21 - on the various discussions taking place this week.”
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