http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/scotland/article1593892.ece
Police have arrested 24 football fans following a mass brawl between rival hooligans. The disturbance took place outside a hotel at the end of a match between Aberdeen and Celtic.
Police said there were up to 60 fans involved in the “large-scale” fight on February 17.
Following a joint operation between the Grampian and Strathclyde police forces, 24 people have been arrested and charged and a further six interviewed. They include fans from Grampian, Tayside, Lothian and Borders, and Strathclyde force areas as well as from Dublin and England. A Grampian Police spokesman said 14 Aberdeen fans and ten Celtic fans had been charged for their involvement in the disturbance.
Police were called to the Gordon Hotel in Altens on the outskirts of Aberdeen at 2.15pm on the day of the match at Pittodrie. It followed a report of a fight involving between 50 and 60 supporters from both teams in the car park. There were no serious injures.
Superintendent Adrian Watson, of Grampian Police, said: “This is again a clear illustration of how Scottish forces are working together to combat football hooliganism. We shall be reporting 24 men in connection with this incident to the procurator fiscal. Inquiries to trace others continue.”
Chief Superintendent Kenny Scott, of Strathclyde Police, said: “The results of the joint operation between Strathclyde and Grampian forces have been very encouraging. Antisocial behaviour around football matches will not be tolerated and police forces will continue to target those groups who cause trouble in the lead-up to, during and after matches. Where appropriate, police will seek football banning orders in respect of any individual found guilty of offences. This will ensure their exclusion from football matches in the future.”
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