Police have been cleared of using CS gas to deal with rival football fans fighting on the day of Celtic’s Champions League clash with Ajax in Glasgow.
The incident outside a pub close to Bridgeton Railway Station in the city’s east end involved a group of more than 15 rival football supporters.
The men ignored repeated warnings from officers from British Transport Police (BTP), including warnings that CS gas would be used if they did not stop fighting.
One of the officers discharged the spray to which the men dispersed and stopped fighting.
It was one incident on a day where fan trouble was reported in parts of the city as the Dutch team travelled to Glasgow for a Champion’s League match with Celtic.
An independent investigation by the Police Investigations & Review Commissioner (PIRC) has found the BTP officer was justified in using the spray when dealing with the violent clash after the match.
The incident happened near a pub in the Bridgeton area of the city on October 22, the day of a Celtic v Ajax game.
In his report into the incident, commissioner Professor John McNeill said the two officers who were outnumbered by fighting fans had handled a violent situation professionally.
He added the use of the spray by one of the officers was proportionate and justified.
Professor McNeill said: “I am satisfied that the officers managed the incident professionally. Had the officer not used the Captor spray, there is a likelihood that the situation would have continued to escalate and place those involved, members of the public and police officers at risk.
“I have however recommended to British Transport Police that the procedures for using the spray in areas aside from railway premises should be updated to ensure that officers have clear instruction and guidance on using Captor Spray in areas aside from railway station concourses, platforms and tracks, namely near or on public roads, where their officers are sometimes deployed.”
Following the discharge of any police firearm, the BTP referred the matter to the PIRC for independent investigation.
PIRC investigators visited the scene, reviewed relevant documents and procedures, read statements from the police officers involved, viewed CCTV footage, and listened to airwave transmissions.
A BTP spokesman said: "We have received the report and note its findings."
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