By Louisa Gavin

The issue surrounding police and their treatment of football fans is a reoccurring one. Just when things seem to be settling down, something adds more fuel to the fire.

Aside from fans of other sports, football fans seem to be segregated into their own bracket further down the pecking order in terms of respect from the Police.

This is nothing new for football. The event that really created a sense of distaste and divide between football fans and the police was the Hillsborough disaster in 1989. Ultimately, the police were to blame for the loss of 97 innocent lives. But before this, the police directed the blame fully towards the fans in the stadium that day. This was seen as morally bankrupt in the eyes of many as the supporters had no part in the disaster. The man in charge of overseeing police supervision of the match, Chief Superintendent David Duckenfield, had “limited experience” in policing of large-scale games.

Police officers on the pitch following the HIllsborough disaster. Credit: Bob Thomas/GettyImages

The aftermath of the tragedy created a bitter relationship between football fans and the police force.

A focal point that really got the ball rolling on legislations and laws concerning football fans was the Glasgow Derby post-match scuffle between then managers Neil Lennon and Ally McCoist in 2011. Following this, the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act (2012) was created. This was designed to ‘combat offensive behaviour’ from fans along with threats from supporters. In the years to follow, the act wasn't well received and in 2018, it was repealed.

Back to the present day, March 16, saw the return of Celtic Vs Rangers to Parkhead. Ahead of the fixture, extraordinary measures were taken ‘to ensure fan safety’. But it seems that although the police claim this, fans are persecuted and put into dangerous situations due to the actions of officers.

Before the game, the Green Brigade and Union Bears, fan groups from both sides of the divide, were kettled by officers. This was due to issues with the new ‘stop and search’ law. In a statement from the Green Brigade, a representative said: “Scottish football has a committed, passionate, creative and overwhelmingly positive supporter culture. Instead of embracing this, it is routinely targeted, often leading to mainly young males being unnecessarily and harshly criminalised.”

Police and Rangers fans before an Old Firm game. Credit: Rob Casey/GettyImages

This move by Police Scotland left the Green Brigade unable to enter the stadium and they missed the entire game and were kept within the kettle for a long period.

It has been made significantly clear during the years that football fans are often brutally handled by the police. And nine times out of 10, there are no reasons for this. Until fans attempt to call out this behaviour and drive for change, these situations will continue to arise.

Police vs Football Fans - Why so extreme?