Police have been attacked with furniture as Rangers and Tottenham fans scrap in ugly scenes prior and after the two sides’ match on Saturday.
A police officer was injured after cops intervened in a mass brawl involving the two groups of fans ahead of their friendly game.
Street furniture was also used in the attack on the officers which happened at about 1:30pm on Saturday on Paisley Road West, near to Seaward Street in Glasgow.
The police had to step in to stop a disturbance between the culprits who were heading to Ibrox to watch the match.
Spurs vs Rangers ICF a few mins ago on Paisley road west – pwopah nauwty pic.twitter.com/TRwgXo8jz7
— Darren Duthart (@darrenduthart) July 23, 2022
They confirmed afterwards that “a 24-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the incident and a police officer required medical treatment following the attack.”
A huge police presence was reported on Paisley Road West as brawling reportedly broke out with helicopters were reported overhead as trouble grew bigger. Fans making their way to the game reported “a bunch of Spurs casuals causing chaos”, which was understood to be sold out.
In videos posted on social media, dozens of police vans and cars can be seen rushing to the scene and surrounding supporters to try and prevent trouble from happening.
One fan wrote: “Kicking off on Paisley road west, few hundred Spurs and Aberdeen casuals scrapping with Rangers fans, think every copper in Scotland is here.”
In addition, police were also on patrol near Celtic Park as Celtic took on Norwich at the same time as their Old Firm rivals played.
“Fans” on their way to the Rangers v Tottenham Hotspur game. @RangersFC @spursofficial #spurs #gers #Glasgow #football pic.twitter.com/CR3G5XEUcf
— Media Junkie (@M3diaJunkie) July 23, 2022
A police spokeswoman added: “There have been a significant number of football fans intent on causing disorder and violence across the city this afternoon and police officers have had to act swiftly and robustly to ensure public safety and reduce disorder.
“As a result I have authorised officers to use powers available under Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public order Act of 1994 which allows officers to stop and search people where this is appropriate and necessary, either in vehicles or on foot.
“This power, which is only authorised when absolutely necessary, also allows officers to require the removal of any item the officer believes is being used wholly or partly for the purposes of concealing their identity.
“As we approach the new football season I would make it clear that this behaviour will not be tolerated. It impacts other members of the public and the vast majority of football supporters who are in the city to enjoy the game.
“The Section 60 stop and search power remains in force in the Glasgow City Council boundary area until 1.22 pm on Sunday, 24 July, 2022. It will be used responsibly and when justified to help prevent serious violence.”
Greater Glasgow’s Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Mark Sutherland said: “Around 1.30 pm on Saturday, 23 July, 2022, police officers were allegedly attacked with street furniture on Paisley Road West, near to Seaward Street, as they prevented a disturbance between rival football supporters.
“A 24-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the alleged incident and a police officer required medical treatment following the attack.”
One horrified onlooker said: “Fans were wearing balaclavas and fighting.
“Punters were coming out of pubs to join in and then clashed with cops.”
While another said on social media that they had to stay in a shop, with the doors locked, as the group passed.
They added: “Helicopter and riot police everywhere.
“Cops seemed to divide the crowds and force them to separate junctions. A shop let me chill out inside and locked the doors.”
A police officer required medical treatment following an alleged attack as he tried to break up the “disturbance”.
#Rangers fans on their best behaviour — stealing from local businesses and throwing anything — glass, fruit, signs — at police. Glad to have them terrorize their home neighbourhood at every opportunity. @Glasgow_Live pic.twitter.com/ATLW5B5eDg
— Sydney Shadeck-Triola (@sshadecktriola) July 23, 2022
Rangers fans at Ibrox also booed former Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster when he came on as a substitute for Antonio Conte’s Tottenham Hotspur, according to Football London journalist Alasdair Gold.
Forster signed for Spurs on a free transfer earlier this summer following his departure from Southampton at the end of last season.
The 34-year-old was in action in their pre-season friendly match against Rangers with Spurs winning the game 2-1.
The home side took a deserved lead in the first half through one of their summer signings Antonio Colak. However, the visitors turned the contest around at the start of the second half with Kane scoring twice in a six-minute spell.
Antonio Conte opted not to start any of his summer signings, with all six sat on the bench at Ibrox.
Tottenham started brightly, with Allan McGregor keeping out a Dejan Kulusevski strike at his near post.
But Rangers soon got a foothold in the game and took a deserved lead in the 25th minute. Rabbi Matondo beat Ryan Sessegnon down the Tottenham left and his cross was flicked into the path of Antonio Colak, who made no mistake from close range.
Spurs looked for an immediate response, with the lively Kulusevski forcing McGregor into a brilliant one-handed tip-over. Cristian Romero headed the resultant corner over the bar when he should have hit the target.
Harry Kane then broke clear on goal but McGregor was once again equal to the England skipper’s strike at goal.
Conte introduced Yves Bissouma for his Tottenham debut at half-time. Lucas Moura was also added to the action at right wing-back.
Trademark @hkane
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) July 23, 2022
Back to the main story though with reaction on police attacked with furniture as Rangers and Tottenham fans scrap in ugly scenes…
@Kieran_B_Sport: Not looking forward to visiting Glasgow for the game in September. You just know it’s going to be a vile atmosphere unlike when the Scots visit Dublin and are treated extremely well by everyone.
@Gastro_Celtic: Mad how these incidents seem to follow Rangers Fans around… doesn’t really affect any other Scottish clubs…
@dclfc77: Why are rangers scrapping with English clubs I thought they just held hands and sang god save the queen for 90 minutes
@GunnerGlasgow: If you’d ask me to name two groups of fans who start this sort of shite at a friendly, it’d be Rangers and Spurs.
@TamsellicsonIII: It’s not the 80’s anymore lads. You’ve probably got grand weans and a subscription for the Radio Times ffs 😂
@RyanKilmurray3: Rangers get battered everywhere they go 😂😂😂😂😂😂👀
@PaulPaul31871: Canny do anything else but fight
@GeorgeW_lufc: Footballs back
@TaaffeDave: Same Shite different year
@sixucI: It’s a friendly ffs
@TrueBluesLoyal1: Disgraceful behaviour
@HereWeKyogo: Isn’t it weird that every time Rangers play English hooligans turn up to fight each other and the poor Rangers fans get caught in the middle. #chelseafans #wrongplacewrongtime #manchesterpolicedugs
@takethat00: Grown bloody men 🙄 Embarrassing. Sick of this shit letting our city down. Absolute disgrace. Pathetic twats.
@CM67_: Was so obvious that would happen
@Sharon49974912: Water canons is whats needed
@celticmaz04: Absolutely pathetic
Big police presence around Ibrox as Spurs and Rangers fans make their way to the stadium – helicopter up above Paisley Road West. pic.twitter.com/xlfwb2WqTJ
— Alan Zycinski (@AlanJZycinski) July 23, 2022
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