March 8 – Rangers’ first domestic Scottish title for a decade was marred by a serious breach of Covid rules on Sunday that prompted the intervention of the country’s political leader.
First minister Nicola Sturgeon urged fans to “go home” as thousands celebrated the blue half of Glasgow’s achievement after 10 years of being overshadowed by arch-rivals Celtic.
Celtic’s failure to beat Dundee United on Sunday ensured Steven Gerrard’s side were crowned Scottish champions for the first time since the 2010/11 season.
Fans gathered outside Ibrox stadium and in Glasgow city centre with police confirming “a small number of arrests and issued fixed penalty notices” were handed out “for breaches of the coronavirus restrictions, minor incidents of disorder and the use of pyrotechnic devices”.
The mass gatherings were widely condemned, and Sturgeon warned the celebrations could jeopardise plans to ease coronavirus restrictions.
In a tweet, she warned the actions threatened to delay Scotland’s exiting of lockdown.
“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,” wrote Sturgeon.
“It is deeply unfair to the entire country, and the police have a hard enough job already. Please ask fans to go home.”
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