Despite a “productive discussion” last week, no plans have been made for the anticipated celebrations at the end of this year’s football season. In an effort to avoid the “disruption” that occurred in previous years, MSP Kaukab Stewart convened representatives from Celtic FC, Rangers FC, the SPFL, Police Scotland, and Glasgow City Council at a meeting on Friday, March 28 in Hampden Park.
Residents were given the opportunity to tell clubs about their experience of anti-social behaviour from unofficial parties in Trongate and George Square, which have seen thousands of pounds worth of damage caused.
However, despite agreements “more should be done” to encourage fans not to gather in the city centre, no plans have been put forward ahead of an expected gathering at the end of the season next month.
“I convened a meeting with local community councils, the Scottish Professional Football League, Rangers FC, and Celtic FC, along with Police Scotland and Glasgow City Council, to discuss how to stop a repeat of the terrible scenes that have taken place in the city center of Glasgow in the last few years following the conclusion of the Scottish Premier League,” Stewart stated. “It was to discuss how to stop a repeat of the terrible scenes.”
“Because we were able to hear directly from local residents about their real-life experiences, we had a very fruitful conversation with them. We came to the conclusion that, while celebrating the success of Glasgow’s football clubs is important and welcome, the scenes and disruption that residents and businesses have experienced is unacceptable.
“It is evident that implementing a solution is complex due to the numerous factors that must be taken into account. However, I was pleased that there was agreement around the table that more should be done and that further discussions will take place to look at long term plans, which will include local residents and the voice of the fans.
“I am reassured that additional discussions will take place and that we can collaborate to enhance subsequent celebrations,” In August of last year, representatives of Celtic and Rangers fans organizations met with Merchant City and Trongate Community Council (MCTCC) and Calton Community Council at another meeting that was hosted by Stewart. Although it was encouraging “to hear declarations of good intent” last week, a spokesperson for MCTCC stated that it appears that local residents and businesses will continue to be subject to “the kind of disgraceful anti-social behavior” seen in previous years.
“We applaud our MSP for taking the initiative to gather such a powerful group,” they said.
“Hearing declarations of good intent from all sides was gratifying. “Over the long term, there are signs that a solution can be found, but we haven’t seen any evidence to suggest that local businesses and residents won’t see the same shameful anti-social behavior next month as they did at the end of the past two league seasons.
“We appeal once more for the rule of common sense and respect for people and property.”
“Again under Kaukab’s direction, MCCTCC met with Celtic and Rangers fans last year.
“At that meeting, we stated that we desired a strategy to minimize issues in May and proposed the establishment of a Fan Zone in the event that Celtic won the Premiership once more.
“The tremendous accomplishments of Celtic and Rangers should make Glasgow, and indeed Scotland, proud. “Fans have every right to celebrate success, but that shouldn’t get out of hand to the detriment of local residents and businesses,” the author writes.
Tricia Fort, chair of the Calton Community Council, agrees that fans should have a celebration, but it shouldn’t turn into the mess of previous years.
“We are not happy that there is likely to be a gathering at Glasgow Cross next month,” she stated. “We were informed that Rangers FC and Celtic FC will communicate with their fans. “I think, or hope, that it might be lower than in previous years, and that’s in part because the press has talked about how much it costs to clean up Glasgow Cross.
“However, we are still caught in the contradiction that because this is not an event, Police Scotland and Glasgow City Council cannot prepare for it; however, they are aware that it will take place, so they have contingencies in place.
“I hope that Police Scotland will have intelligence and intervene sooner, i.e. when illegal behavior occurs,” After previous “disruption and disorder” in the city center, we previously reported that private talks between Celtic and Rangers, Police Scotland, the council, and community leaders were taking place prior to the end of the football season.
In May of that year, approximately 25,000 Celtic fans congregated in Merchant City to commemorate the club’s third consecutive victory in the Scottish Premiership league, which brought the neighborhood to a standstill.
During the gathering, four police officers were injured, and 19 people were arrested for disorderly conduct and using pyrotechnics. It followed similar celebrations in Trongate by Celtic fans in 2022 and 2023, and George Square by Rangers fans in 2021.
A spokesperson for Glasgow City Council stated that while they believe that fans should be able to celebrate their team’s success, there is no justification for “the kind of disorder, vandalism, and violence” that occurred in previous seasons.
They stated that they had made it clear to clubs in previous meetings that they would support any efforts by clubs to organize “suitable and safe celebrations” and would like to see clubs encourage fans not to gather. “Glasgow is a great sporting city, and fans should have the opportunity to celebrate success,” the spokesperson stated. “However, celebrations that result in the kind of disorder, vandalism, and violence that have been a consistent feature of gatherings at Trongate and George Square at the conclusion of recent football seasons cannot be justified in any way.
“We share the frustrations of local businesses and residents of these neighborhoods and have heard them. “During its engagement with clubs and stakeholders, the council has made it abundantly clear that it would be in the best interests of the city, its sporting institutions, and most importantly, local communities for all parties to use whatever influence they have to discourage fans from gathering in that manner.”
“At the same time, the council has always made it clear that it will support any efforts that clubs make to organize or host celebrations for supporters that are sustainable and safe.” “We will continue to engage on this subject right up to the end of this season”:
“We have been engaging on this subject, consistently, over the recent years.” After the gathering in May of last year, the Glasgow Times exclusively revealed that the council was spending £73,032 to repair Mercat Cross.
People were seen drinking, setting off fireworks, and climbing onto bus shelters, traffic lights, and other structures at the unofficial party.
Stickers, graffiti, flags, and litter were left behind after the crowd left, and the cleanup is expected to cost £100,402.81 total.
“We work closely with a range of partners to address concerns and ensure appropriate policing plans are in place to maintain public safety and minimize any disruption to the wider community,” a spokesperson for Police Scotland added.
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