First Minister John Swinney condemns weekend football violence as 'utterly unacceptable'

A number of Celtic fans caused disruption in Glasgow city centre, while an Aberdeen player was also injured during separate disorder in Dundee on Saturday.

Monday 19 May 2025 15:45, UK

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Scotland's first minister has condemned the violence across the country by football fans at the weekend as "utterly unacceptable".

A number of Celtic fans caused disruption on Saturday as thousands flocked to Glasgow city centre to celebrate the club's Scottish Premiership title win.

Nine arrests were made across the day, while 15 were charged with offences including being in possession of pyrotechnics or offensive weapons, assault and public order.

Six fixed penalty notices and four recorded police warnings were also issued after the 1-1 game with St Mirren.

On the same day, Aberdeen defender Jack MacKenzie was seriously injured by a fan who threw part of a chair on to the pitch during the match against Dundee United at Tannadice, which the home team won 2-1.

Asked about the violence, John Swinney said: "The incident at Tannadice is absolutely and totally unacceptable and it shows the implications and the impact of reckless behaviour.

"Now, that's obviously got to be pursued by the football authorities and by the police."

Police Scotland described the incident as a "mindless act" as witnesses were urged to come forward.

Mr Swinney added: "The disorder that took place in Glasgow as part of the celebrations of Celtic's performance this year is equally unacceptable.

"All of us want football to take its course, for people to enjoy celebrating their club's success and their club's performance, but it shouldn't involve such implications for other people, for other communities, but it certainly shouldn't involve any form of behaviour that leads to damage and injury to other individuals."

The first minister said he was "not going to change" his government's previous stance against alcohol being introduced at football grounds.

He added: "I think what we've seen at the weekend is just too many examples of disorderly behaviour that has an impact on other members of the public.

"Now, I understand why people want to support and celebrate the performance of their football teams and I don't want to take away from that in any way, shape or form but that can't be, surely, acceptable for it to be undertaken when it damages and disrupts the lives of others and causes injury to others - that's completely unacceptable."

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