HUMZA Yousaf has said that the "unforgivable" scenes at Ibrox yesterday could put hopes of seeing Euro 2020 football in Scotland at risk.
Scotland's Justice Secretary also warned that fans could face retrospective action from police as thousands gathered outside the Rangers ground before and after the team's 3-0 victory over St Mirren.
Fans were celebrating potentially winning the Scottish Premiership title, which will be confirmed if Celtic cannot secure a victory over Dundee United today.
They gathered outside Ibrox from 10am on Saturday with pictures from the scene showing the crowd using smoke bombs and flares.
READ MORE: No arrests at Ibrox as police urge fans to follow Covid restrictions
No arrests were made on the day but Yousaf told Clyde One that does not mean fans got away with flouting Covid restrictions.
He said: "It's not uncommon for action to be taken as a follow-up and that's entirely up to Police Scotland to do.
"I'm certainly frustrated because it should not be up to Police Scotland to take enforcement action. People should know by now - must know - that the stay at home message applies and that simply is unforgivable.
"Police have been putting themselves at risk over the last year day in, day out, to keep us safe, and they should not have to be in a situation which can be completely avoidable."
He also warned fans that their actions could put Scotland hosting games of the Euro 2020 competition later this year at risk due to safety concerns.
Yousaf added: "UEFA are watching. They want a safe tournament and this could really put that tournament coming to Scotland into jeopardy and we just do not want that."
Our primary reason for asking fans to obey the stay at home message is for public health reasons. However, be in no doubt UEFA will also be paying close attention as the EUROs are around the corner.
— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) March 7, 2021
Stay at home, otherwise you are putting your life, and many others in danger. https://t.co/laQiaiYGNa
He later wrote in a tweet: "Our primary reason for asking fans to obey the stay at home message is for public health reasons. However, be in no doubt UEFA will also be paying close attention as the EUROs are around the corner. Stay at home, otherwise you are putting your life, and many others in danger."
In November, Celtic fans took part in a protest outside of their club's stadium which prompted First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to issue a warning that gathering in crowded places were putting themselves and others at risk.
She said: “Whether it’s football fans, rugby fans, any other kind of sport fans or just people in general, please don’t do it because right now, in the middle of this pandemic, it is a risky thing to do that puts you and other people at risk.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel