PFA Scotland warn government could intervene over fan behaviour

PFA Scotland want "open and candid discussions" on crowd trouble and warned there is "every chance" the Scottish Government will intervene if football does not eradicate it.

A 21-year-old man was arrested after Rangers' James Tavernier was confronted during Friday's draw with Hibs.

It came six days after a glass bottle was thrown at Celtic's Scott Sinclair - also at Easter Road.

"Things seem to be getting worse," PFA Scotland chief Fraser Wishart said.

Speaking on BBC Scotland, he added: "It's happening on a regular basis, almost every single week, and that can't go on. We can't wait until someone gets hurt.

"If football doesn't take things forward, there's every chance the government will step in."

Five men have been charged over alleged offences at Easter Road, including using a flare. Two men were arrested before kick off and the remainder during the game.

'Clubs have to look at strict liability'

"Raging and furious" Hibs chief executive Leeann Dempster told BBC Radio Scotland that the fan will be banned for life and that she will personally apologise to Tavernier.

Wishart praised the Rangers captain for his "calm handling" of the incident and welcomed Dempster's "swift condemnation" after she said that "nothing is off the table" with regards to sanctions and action.

"We thank Leeann Dempster for her swift comments last night and the fact she said 'nothing is off the table' is a key point because we all know the debate around strict liability," he added.

"The clubs don't want it and I understand why. But I think football has to look at it an we have to have help from government and the police."

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However, Celtic manager Neil Lennon said he is "not really for" strict liability - which would mean clubs being punished for the behaviour of fans inside their stadium.

Lennon has been subject to several incidents involving supporters during his first spell in charge of Celtic and, last year, while manager of Hibs.

"It's scandalous," he said. "There's an underbelly among the Scottish fans at the minute, I don't know what it is, but we are seeing too much of it."

Speaking to BBC Scotland in the immediate aftermath of the game, Dempster said the supporter's actions should not be allowed to tarnish the reputation of the rest of the fans.

"They've embarrassed this club tonight again, it's completely and utterly unacceptable," she said.

"What are we going to be talking about tomorrow? What is going to be on the back pages of the paper? What are you going to be asking me about? You're going to be asking me about this.

"There is a big debate, a healthy debate going on in the Scottish game. But I'm going to bring it back to personal responsibility. Who thought it was okay to come in here with a glass bottle and throw it? Who thinks it's alright to jump over an advertising hoarding? Ninety-nine-point-nine per cent of the people in here don't think it's okay and we ought to remember not to tarnish these guys as well."

'It's just unacceptable' - reaction

Hibs manager Paul Heckingbottom on Sportsound

I should be here talking to you about how proud I am of the players and yet again I'm getting asked questions about fan misbehaviour. We need it to stop. It's sad I'm not here raving to you about how proud I am of the players. I have to speak about something else.

Former Dundee manager Neil McCann on Sportsound

It's just unacceptable. We should be speaking about how well Rangers have played in this match and some of the last-ditch defending from Hibs.