Sectarian chants could allegedly be heard from Rangers fans
Police Scotland have confirmed they are investigating a number of alleged sectarian and anti-catholic chants that were sung by a group of Rangers fans when en route to Hampden Park on Sunday.
The chants were said to have taken place before Rangers’ 2-1 win against their Old Firm rivals Celtic with the group moved on from an area of “high risk.”
Police Scotland statement
Officers are now looking back through the footage to see if any alleged sectarian and anti-catholic songs were chanted with Chief superintendent Mark Sutherland, divisional commander for Greater Glasgow, explaining that their priority at the time was to move the fans on from the scene.
“The Scottish Cup semi-final between Celtic and Rangers at Hampden Park in Glasgow on Sunday 17 April was a large and complex operation that involved officers working with a range of partners across the country to ensure the match went ahead safely and with minimal disruption to the wider public.,” he told Sky Sports.
“Police Scotland had a proportionate plan in place to support the event and to deal swiftly with acts of violence, disorder and anti-social behaviour.
“Prior to kick off a group of Rangers supporters were escorted to the stadium. The focus of the policing operation at this time was public safety and the quick movement away from an area where there was a high risk of disorder between supporter groups.
“Video evidence footage was taken at that time and enquiries are now ongoing into alleged sectarian and anti-Catholic singing from those being escorted.”
Sutherland confirmed he will make arrests if necessary
Sutherland then added that Police Scotland have a zero-tolerance approach and said arrests will be made if there is sufficient enough evidence to do so.
He added: “Anti-Catholic and indeed all forms of hate crime are completely unacceptable and today’s events again remind us of the ongoing challenges we have in some parts of Scotland with sectarianism.
“Police Scotland must of course play its part in a wider and joined up response and I expect arrests to be made following today’s match.”
Rangers reached the final, where they will play Hearts, after Fashion Sakala’s extra-time winner after the two sides couldn’t be separated in 90 minutes.
Greg Taylor had given Celtic the lead, however Rangers responded with a well-hit effort from Scott Arfield.
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