ARRESTS were made last night after Rangers fans defied warnings not to gather following their SPFL Premiership win.
Police moved in to lift a “small number” of supporters for coronavirus restriction breaches, minor incidents of disorder and the use of pyrotechnic devices.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: “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.”
READ MORE: Fury after rule-breaking Rangers fans cause chaos in Glasgow city centre
Gatherings of thousands of fans over the weekend prompted a large police presence at Ibrox and in George Square. Glasgow subway stations temporarily closed while police dispersed gatherings.
The First Minister congratulated the team on the Scottish Premiership win but warned title parties that were taking place across Glasgow could be risking lives.
Thousands of fans gathered both outside Ibrox Stadium and at George Square and set off flares, fireworks and smoke bombs.
Sturgeon’s warnings were echoed by other senior figures. Justice Minister Humza Yousaf tweeted: “Congratulations to Rangers FC – churlish not to recognise how well they have played this season.
“I understand Rangers fans will be desperate to celebrate but please remember you must stay at home. No mass gatherings are allowed. We cannot risk any further spread of the virus.”
There was fury on social media at the scenes with people posting Tweets and Facebook comments asking how the gathering could be allowed, given current lockdown restrictions.
The leader of Glasgow City Council hit out at claims fans were being “allowed” to gather. Susan Aitken was asked via social media what she was doing about the George Square gathering.
She tweeted: “No-one’s allowing it, this is not an organised event. Some fans have chosen to break the rules and go to George Square, the First Minister is rightly asking them not to do so.
“It’s a matter for the police to enforce lockdown restrictions and they have officers on the scene.”
Chief Superintendent Mark Sutherland, Divisional Commander for Greater Glasgow Division, said: “Officers have made a small number of arrests and issued fixed penalty notices for breaches of the coronavirus restrictions, minor incidents of disorder and the use of pyrotechnic devices.
“We will continue with an appropriate policing response, as officers engage with those present, explain and encourage them to comply with the restrictions. Where appropriate, we have moved to enforcement and will continue to do so.”
Earlier, Yousaf said “unforgivable” scenes at Ibrox on Saturday could put hopes of seeing Euro 2020 football in Scotland at risk.
He also warned that fans could face retrospective action from police after thousands gathered outside the Rangers ground before and after the team’s 3-0 victory over St Mirren.
The Ibrox club’s title success was sealed when Celtic could only draw with Dundee United yesterday.
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