Police Scotland make arrests and issue fixed penalty notices for lockdown breaches and incidents of disorder; First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon's plea to Rangers: "Please ask fans to go home"
Monday 8 March 2021 12:28, UK
Nicola Sturgeon has hit out at celebrating Rangers fans who breached coronavirus restrictions - warning they threaten Scotland's lockdown easing - while Police Scotland have made a number of arrests.
Thousands of fans gathered outside Ibrox and in Glasgow's George Square to celebrate the triumph with Police Scotland confirming "a small number of arrests and issued fixed penalty notices" were handed out "for breaches of the coronavirus restrictions, minor incidents of disorder and the use of pyrotechnic devices".
Sturgeon tweeted twice during the celebrations calling on Rangers to ask their fans, out celebrating, to go home and warning the actions threaten to delay Scotland's exiting of lockdown.
She posted on Twitter as celebrations continued into Sunday evening: "I share folks' anger at this. Everyone has made so many sacrifices in the past year & seeing a minority risk our progress is infuriating & disgraceful. It is deeply unfair to the entire country, and the police have a hard enough job already. Please ask fans to go home @RangersFC."
She had originally said on Sunday afternoon: "I congratulate Rangers on the title win and recognise what a moment this is for fans.
"But gathering in crowds just now risks lives, and could delay exit from lockdown for everyone else. If those gathering care at all about the safety of others and the country, they will go home."
Chief Superintendent Mark Sutherland, Divisional Commander for Greater Glasgow Division, added: "We are continuing to police the ongoing gathering of football supporters in George Square today (Sunday, 7 March, 2021).
"Officers have continued to move to enforcement where appropriate with a number of further arrests and additional fixed penalty notices for breaches of the coronavirus restrictions, minor incidents of disorder and the use of pyrotechnic devices.
"We are now asking people to disperse and make their way home. For those not in attendance, please do not make your way to Glasgow City Centre.
"People should consider the public health impact of this gathering.
"For more information on the latest coronavirus guidelines please visit the Scottish Government website."
Celtic's failure to beat Dundee United on Sunday ensured Steven Gerrard's side were crowned Scottish champions for the first time since the 2010/11 season.
