Thursday, November 22, 2007

SFA seeks Celtic missile answers

The Scottish Football Association is to write to Celtic asking for their views on the incident in which Rangers' Fernando Ricksen was hit by a missile.

Sunday's match referee Mike McCurry has included the incident in his report, which the SFA received on Tuesday.

The SFA's head of discipline Drew Herbertson said he would await the club's comments on the matter.

"That then goes to the disciplinary committee, who will be getting together on 15 March," added Herbertson.

Strathclyde Police have begun their own investigation after Ricksen was struck on the head, apparently by a lighter thrown from the crowd.

Ricksen needed a stitch to a wound just above his eye.

Match commander Kevin Smith said: "We are continuing enquiries into this, as well as using CCTV footage to assist in identifying those responsible."

Celtic aim to identify the culprit and a club spokesman said: "I can confirm that an object was thrown at the Rangers player and I believe it was a lighter that was thrown.

"We are studying video tapes of the incident to identify the individual.

"We will act accordingly thereafter, but that is ongoing."

Police chief superintendent Smith said: "Following the Celtic v Rangers game at Celtic Park, I can confirm there was a total of 30 arrests in and around the stadium.

"Twelve of these were for offences of religious prejudice, one was for a racist offence and the remaining 17 were for other minor offences.

"We are aware of a further incident that took place during the second half of the game."

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill condemned the behaviour of some of the supporters.

"That would be disappointing if anything was thrown at any players," he said.

"You want the passion and everything else about the game, but you don't want it to get to that stage."

Rangers manager Alex McLeish played down the incident and thought it should not overshadow his side's victory.

"I don't want to make a big issue of it," he said.

"Fernando played extremely well and showed a lot of commitment and bravery, but he has had a stitch inserted in the corner of his brow.

"It's not an incident unique to Scotland. The crowd was generally well behaved, but unfortunately sometimes these things happen."
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