5 Celtic thugs jailed for Amsterdam riot

http://news.stv.tv/west-central/249707-five-celtic-fans-given-jail-terms-for-assaulting-amsterdam-police/

Five Celtic fans have been given jail sentences for attacking police officers when violence broke out in Amsterdam city centre ahead of a Champions League match.

A sixth suspect was acquitted when a judge at the city’s District Court found there was not enough evidence against him.

Two of the men, Padraig Mullen and Damian Dobbin, were jailed for two months, two others, Tam Kennedy and Andy Vance, for six weeks and a fifth, Joseph McPherson, for one month, after they were found guilty of using violence against police. All five were released immediately pending an appeal.

The court also awarded damages of €500 to one of six police officers who were injured in the incident and €250 each to three others.

The six men, aged 20 to 49, were arrested after trouble flared in Dam Square hours before Celtic played Ajax in a Champions League match on November 6.

The court heard the incident was triggered when a group of Ajax supporters stole and ran off with a Celtic supporters’ flag.

Videos posted on YouTube and shown in court showed the men grappling with plainclothes police officers who appeared to beat and kick them.

The judge said the fans had been on edge because of an incident the night before in the Old Sailor Cafe where Ajax fans launched an unprovoked attack on travelling supporters.

He said the eruption of violence in Dam Square the next day was unacceptable and police were entitled to use force in restraining the feuding fans.

He rejected an attempt by defence lawyer Christian Visser to have the case thrown out on the grounds that the level of force used was excessive.

The judge admitted it was difficult to work out the exact course of events from the dossiers submitted by police and the video footage from the scene.

But he ruled that there was enough evidence to convict five of the men on trial.

He argued that they could have left the scene when the violence began, but chose to stay in Dam Square and used violence against police.

During Thursday’s hearing Mr Visser called for the six men to be freed, arguing they had been subjected to disproportionate violence by police officers dressed in plain clothes who mingled with the crowd.

He also argued that the police statements were unreliable and failed to identify which supporters had been involved in the fracas. In statements the defendants said they were unaware the people they were fighting were police officers.

Two supporters, Andy Vance and Padraig Mullan, were detained in custody for more than two weeks in the lead-up to the court date.

Police arrested 44 supporters during the incident, including 18 Celtic supporters. Twelve of the fans of the Parkhead club were previously released after being fined up to €500, while another ten were sent home before the game.

The force said six plainclothes officers were injured in the incident, which resulted in riot and mounted police attending Dam Square.

The club have previously stated that they were investigating the incident and said that the violence came after their fans had been "subjected to a high degree of provocation".

On the eve of the match, a large number of masked Ajax supporters attacked Celtic supporters in the Old Sailor Cafe in the city’s red light district. Nine Dutch fans were arrested in the incident, which was caught on police CCTV.

Local TV station AT5 recorded an interview with a Celtic supporter who sustained injuries to his face. He said: "Police came right through the middle hitting everybody and anybody. If you weren’t quick to move out the way, that’s what you got."

An image of a police dog biting a Celtic fan in Dam Square was captured by an agency photographer.

Mr Visser has said Vance and Mullan should be freed immediately and branded the Dutch police hooligans over the clashes.

The Netherlands Embassy in London said the public prosecution service in Holland had received "video footage and photographic material of the disturbances" which are being reviewed. It also said the Dutch police are "conducting an internal review of the incident."

The Fans Against Criminalisation organised an evidence gathering session in Glasgow at the weekend to compile accounts from fans who were in Amsterdam during the violence that broke out between 5pm and 6pm. The group planned to submit information they compiled to the lawyers representing the Celtic fans at the trial.

Video: Celtic fans in worst violence for years

http://www.scotsman.com/news/scotland/top-stories/video-celtic-fans-in-worst-violence-for-years-1-3177674

Celtic have announced that an internal investigation will be carried out on the skirmishes between fans that broke out in Amsterdam’s city centre on Wednesday night.

Six Celtic fans will be brought before a judge today after some of the worst football-related violence involving a British team in recent years.

Eighteen remained in custody in the Netherlands last night, 12 of whom were due to be released after paying fines in the region of €500 (£420).

In total, 44 people were arrested following Wednesday night’s disorder, 28 of them Scottish, with some already having been fined and released.

Dutch police said the violence was triggered by Dutch fans stealing a Scottish flag, with the travelling supporters throwing glass bottles in retaliation. Plain-clothes police then stepped in and the fighting ensued.

Videos posted to YouTube show trouble on the streets of Amsterdam before Celtic’s Champions League game against Ajax. Fans are seen throwing bottles at people as they board a tram.

Police armed with batons, including many on horseback, are seen attempting to bring the situation under control.

Fans clash with other fans, and with police. During the violence some fans can be seen wearing Celtic shirts, while others are chanting, “Celtic, Celtic”.

Later, the streets are shown to be littered with debris, including smashed glass from a number of beer bottles. A few dazed and apparently injured people can been seen being helped to their feet by police.

A police spokesman said: “Six people will be brought in front of an investigative judge and he will decide what happens next. They have been held for fighting with police.”

Asked what started the disorder, he added: “It looks like a few Ajax fans took a Scottish flag and then some people started throwing bottles at them.”

Police officers in plain clothes went to arrest them and all hell broke loose. They were throwing bottles at other people who had taken the flag.

“Eight police officers were injured – broken nose, holes in their heads, eyebrows cut. One policeman was knocked unconscious.”

He said he was not aware of any fans of either club being seriously injured.

Celtic last night issued a statement claiming its supporters were subjected to “a high degree of provocation” and that there had been “an organised attack on a group” in Amsterdam.

It read: “There is no question Celtic supporters have been subjected to a high degree of provocation.” The club announced it had opened an internal investigation to “fully understand events” in response to claims from their fans that they were poorly treated.

But it added: “We would stress that there is no excuse for any form of violent conduct.

Second night of violence

There had earlier been trouble on Tuesday, the night before the game, when dozens of Dutch hooligans descended on the Old Sailor Cafe, in the city’s red light district.

They banged on the glass and at least one man was repeatedly punched before police arrived. The whole incident lasted less than a minute. Nine Ajax fans were arrested.

There has been repeated problems with Dutch football hooliganism in recent years and two weeks ago Ajax fans ripped up 300 seats and damaged the stadium at Celtic Park following a fixture between the sides which Celtic won 2-1.

Fans ‘provoked’, say Celtic

Celtic said in a statement on their website: “We have been informed that there are five individuals detained in Holland. We are not clear if they have any formal association with the Club, however, we will be liaising with the local authorities in Amsterdam, our own police and the British Consulate in order to fully understand events. We would stress that there is no excuse for any form of violent conduct.

“In addition, we have received numerous complaints from Celtic supporters in relation to their treatment in Amsterdam, which we will also investigate fully.

“There is no question that Celtic supporters have been subjected to a high degree of provocation.”

The club added: “Once again the overwhelming majority of our supporters behaved impeccably.”

There has been repeated problems with Dutch football hooliganism in recent years, and two weeks ago Ajax fans ripped up seats and damaged the stadium at Celtic Park following another fixture between the two sides.

Police knocked unconscious by Celtic fans in Amsterdam riot

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/eight-amsterdam-police-officers-hurt-in-celtic-clashes-8925736.html

Eight police officers were injured in a clash between football fans and officers before Celtic's Champions League match against Ajax in Amsterdam.

Amsterdam police said 15 fans were arrested after the incident in the city centre before kick-off yesterday.

The police force said fans armed with bottles and sticks attacked plain-clothed officers in an incident described as "coming out of nowhere".

One officer was knocked unconscious in the fighting in Dam Square.

Police said the majority of those arrested were Celtic fans, although it is believed that supporters from other clubs were also involved.

A police spokesman said: "At the end of the afternoon a large group of Celtic supporters attacked police officers in plain clothes.

"Eight were injured and one was knocked unconscious. A few of them had broken noses and needed stitches above their eyebrows and on their lips.

"Bottles and sticks were used in the attack which came out of nowhere. There were 15 arrests, mostly Celtic supporters."

Celtic lost the match 1-0 and face an uphill battle to reach the knockout stages of the competition.

Before the match Celtic urged fans in the city to be "extra vigilant" after a group of supporters were attacked in a city centre bar.

It was reported around 50 supporters were in the Old Sailor Cafe in the city when they were attacked by a group of masked men on Tuesday night.

There were no serious injuries and a number of people were arrested.

The attack follows trouble last month when a group of Ajax fans ripped up and threw seats at police and home fans as the teams played in Glasgow.

Uefa opened disciplinary proceedings against the Dutch club after the clashes with police and stewards at Parkhead during a match which the home side won 2-1.

A disciplinary case is to be heard on November 21.

The night before the match at Celtic Park, British Transport Police arrested two Dutch fans over alleged disorder in Glasgow Central train station.

Around 12,000 Celtic fans were expected in Holland for last night's match and the club said fans should not travel to the stadium unless they had a ticket for the Celtic section.

A club statement issued before the match said: "Celtic are urging all supporters to be extra vigilant in the city centre and at the Amsterdam ArenA, and to only stick to the advised areas for safety reasons."

Shocking video shows extent of Celtic fans Amsterdam riot

Celtic fans attack police
http://youtu.be/Ny86q_XVjQg?t=2m36s

Celtic fans attack women and children taking a trip on an Amsterdam tram
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SbVLYzcWNA&app=desktop

Celtic fans used bottles to attack police before UEFA Champions League match

Sky Sports News

Amsterdam Police have blamed a group of Celtic fans for the trouble in the city before Wednesday's Champions League tie against Ajax.

A spokesman for the police said 'a number of Celtic fans' were among those arrested during the clashes in Dam Square in the early hours of Wednesday evening.

A group of Celtic supporters who were gathered in the centre of the city became the target of what appeared to be an organised gang who soon began exchanging taunts before throwing missiles in their direction.

Riot police were swiftly on the scene and they were soon joined by scores of plain-clothes officers.

It is thought a number of Celtic fans charged by mounted police responded by throwing bottles and missiles which resulted in the injuries to the officers.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, Amsterdam Police Inspector Rob Van Der Veen said: "Thirtynine people have been arrested and 27 of them are still in custody. We are dealing with them.

"I am not sure how many of them are Celtic supporters but there are a number of them, along with Ajax fans, in that group."

Asked to clarify the reasons for the arrests, Mr Van Der Veen said: "At a certain moment there were around 1,500 Celtic fans on Dam Square.

"There were also police officers in riot gear and also police officers in plain clothes.

"At a certain moment a big group of the Celtic fans turned against the policemen in plain clothes and there was a big fight.

"This resulted in eight of our officers being injured, with broken noses, cuts to their faces, heads and lips. Some of the fans used bottles to hit the officers, which was not a nice sight."

Dutch press report Celtic fans mayhem

http://www.telegraaf.nl/binnenland/22035492/__Supporters_verwonden_agenten__.html

http://www.telegraaf.nl/tv/nieuws/ttvnieuws/22034707/__Schotten_lak_aan_bierverbod__.html

Celtic fans arrested following clash with police before Champions League match against Ajax

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/celtic-urge-vigilance-by-fans-after-attack-in-amsterdam-bar.1383746684

Amsterdam police said 15 fans were arrested after the incident in the city centre before kick-off yesterday.

The police force said fans armed with bottles and sticks attacked plain-clothed officers in an incident described as "coming out of nowhere".

One officer was knocked unconscious in the fighting in Dam Square.

Police said the majority of those arrested were Celtic fans, although it is believed that supporters from other clubs were also involved.

A police spokesman said: "At the end of the afternoon a large group of Celtic supporters attacked police officers in plain clothes.

"Eight were injured and one was knocked unconscious. A few of them had broken noses and needed stitches above their eyebrows and on their lips.

"Bottles and sticks were used in the attack which came out of nowhere. There were 15 arrests, mostly Celtic supporters."

Celtic lost the match 1-0 and face an uphill battle to reach the knockout stages of the competition.

Before the match Celtic urged fans in the city to be ''extra vigilant'' after a group of supporters were attacked in a city centre bar.

It was reported around 50 supporters were in the Old Sailor Cafe in the city when they were attacked by a group of masked men on Tuesday night.

There were no serious injuries and a number of people were arrested.

The attack follows trouble last month when a group of Ajax fans ripped up and threw seats at police and home fans as the teams played in Glasgow.

Uefa opened disciplinary proceedings against the Dutch club after the clashes with police and stewards at Parkhead during a match which the home side won 2-1.

A disciplinary case is to be heard on November 21.

The night before the match at Celtic Park, British Transport Police arrested two Dutch fans over alleged disorder in Glasgow Central train station.

Around 12,000 Celtic fans were expected in Holland for last night's match and the club said fans should not travel to the stadium unless they had a ticket for the Celtic section.

A club statement issued before the match said: ''Celtic are urging all supporters to be extra vigilant in the city centre and at the Amsterdam ArenA, and to only stick to the advised areas for safety reasons.''

Celtic fans clash with Dutch police before defeat by Ajax in Amsterdam

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/nov/06/celtic-fans-dutch-police-ajax-amsterdam?CMP=twt_gu

Eight police officers needed hospital treatment and more than 15 football fans were arrested after violent clashes before Wednesday's Champions League match between Celtic and Ajax in Amsterdam.

A spokesman for Amsterdam police said a large crowd of Celticsupporters turned on a group of plainclothes police officers in Dam Square, the city's historic heart shortly before 6pm local time, about three hours before kick-off in a match won 1-0 by Ajax.

"The officers took quite a beating," said the spokesman Rob van der Veen. "One of the officers was unconscious, another had his nose broken."

Earlier in the day the mayor of Amsterdam issued an emergency order allowing the police to remove people they judged to be a threat to public order.

Dutch media reported that fans attacked the police with thrown bottles and sticks. The news portal nu.nl reported that fans of the Belgian club Anderlecht and followers of Germany's St Pauli were also in the city.

Large numbers of Dinamo Zagreb fans are also in Amsterdam before Thursday's Europa League match against PSV Eindhoven.

Amsterdam Police said it expected the number of arrests to rise during the night and that a final figures would be "high". It is thought that fans from other European clubs were involved, although police said they "had kept themselves covered".

Celtic supporters had been urged by the club to be careful after an attack on Hoops supporters in a city-centre bar on Tuesday night.

Thousands of Celtic supporters flooded into Holland for the Group H game at the Amsterdam Arena.

A statement on the Celtic website said: "Celtic Football Club is urging all supporters in Amsterdam for tonight's Uefa Champions League tie with Ajax to be extra vigilant following an unprovoked attack on Celtic fans last night

"The attack in the city centre by an element of the Ajax support resulted in a number of arrests.

"Celtic are urging all supporters to be extra vigilant in the city centre and at the Amsterdam Arena, and to only stick to the advised areas for safety reasons."

At the pre-match media conference on Tuesday afternoon, the Ajax coach Frank De Boer expressed hope that the tiny percentage of fans he described as "crazy" would not disrupt the game.

Uefa opened disciplinary proceedings against the Dutch club after some of their supporters clashed with police and stewards at Parkhead last month during a match which the home side won 2-1.

The case will be dealt with by UEFA's control and disciplinary panel on November 21.

De Boer admitted that some Ajax fans remain a concern when asked if he was confident of the game passing off trouble-free.

"I am confident in that but you never know," said the former Rangers player.

"There is always some crazy people [who] try to disturb something but hopefully it will not happen."

Racist Celtic fans riot in Amsterdam

Anthony Stokes released from garda custody after assault arrest

PAUL WILLIAMS – 12 AUGUST 2013

REPUBLIC of Ireland striker Anthony Stokes has been released from garda custody after he was questioned in relation to an assault.

Mr Stokes (25) left Irishtown Garda Station at approximately 3pm this afternoon.Wearing white trainers, jeans, a T-shirt, and carrying a large black holdall bag, the Celtic striker got into a white BMX X5 series vehicle which was waiting for him.

Mr Stokes (25) was being questioned in relation to an assault in a nightclub.

He was detained under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act and can be held for up to six hours.

It’s believed that gardai showed Mr Stokes CCTV footage of the incident in the nightclub.

Gardai had decided not to arrest Mr Stokes before the sell-out friendly between Glasgow Celtic and Liverpool on Saturday.

During a visit home earlier this summer, it was alleged that Stokes had been involved in an assault at Buck Whaley’s nightclub on Leeson Street, Dublin.

Ballyfermot Elvis impersonator Anthony Bradley (42) was treated for a suspected broken nose and chipped teeth following an incident in the nightclub.

The alleged incident occurred several hours after the international between Ireland and the Faroe Islands at the Aviva.

Celtic's Stokes arrested over alleged assault on Elvis impersonator

Celtic's striker Anthony Stokes has been arrested in connection with an alleged assault on an Elvis impersonator.

The Republic of Ireland player is being questioned by police in Dublin following an incident at a nightclub that took place in June after the World Cup qualifier against the Faroe Islands.

According to the Irish Independent, police decided not to arrest the 25-year-old before Saturday's sell-out friendly between Celtic and Liverpool but have subsequently questioned him.

During a visit home this summer, it was alleged that Stokes had been involved in an assault at Buck Whaley's nightclub on Leeson Street, Dublin.

The Elvis impersonator, 42-year-old Anthony Bradley, was treated for a suspected broken nose and chipped teeth following an incident in the nightclub.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/aug/12/anthony-stokes-arrested-celtic-ireland

Homophobic Celtic hooligan handed a year-long football ban

A Clydebank football hooligan who nutted a copper and unleashed a disgusting homophobic rant has been handed a one-year football banning order.

Celtic supporter Gary Prior was also slapped with a £400 fine after his outrageous actions at Starks Park - home of Raith Rovers in Kirkcaldy - in February this year.

The loud mouthed yob appeared in the dock at Kircaldy Sheriff Court last week after having being found guilty of public disorder at a football match, assaulting a police officer and committing a breach of the peace following his arrest.

The court heard how arrogant Prior was first spotted by eagle-eyed cops shouting support for what court papers described as a "prescribed terrorist organisation", outside the ground in the build-up to Raith Rovers' Scottish Cup clash against Celtic.

They were also told how during his arrest he headbutted an officer and continued to act in an aggressive manner during the journey to Kirkcaldy Police Station where he continued his tirade.
It was explained to the court Prior was shouting and threatening police, before making comments of a homophobic nature, as well as making threats of violence towards them.

The 21-year-old has been serving a ban from every stadium in Scotland since the offence took place on February 3 this year. Just two days after the ban kicked in, he told mates on his Facebook page how he was "heavy gutted" to be missing the Parkhead side's clash with Juventus in the Champions League last season.

Other posts on Facebook indicate he went to court in a confident mood and would be returning to Celtic Park soon, but his hopes were dashed when the sheriff showed him the red card by banning him for a further 12 months.

Prosecutors told the Post they were satisfied with the outcome of the case and will continue to keep the pressure on football hooligans.

Faith Millar, Football Liaison Prosecutor for the East of Scotland, said: "The [Crown Office] is absolutely determined to play its part in confronting the problems of violence motivated by prejudice or discrimination of any kind.

"Prosecutors will continue to work with the police to take whatever measures are necessary to protect genuine fans from criminal behaviour while attending football matches. We will prosecute anyone indulging in such behaviour with a zero-tolerance approach and reiterate the message that it has no place in modern Scotland."

http://www.clydebankpost.co.uk/news/roundup/articles/2013/07/26/465444-clydebank-hooligan-handed-a-yearlong-football-ban/#sthash.QgjIUnCS.t7nJczJK.dpuf

Sectarian Bigot Celtic fan gets 7 years sentence for stabbing Rangers fan

Vicious bigot stabbed man in neck because toddler son supported ...

A THUG stabbed a young dad in the neck because his toddler son supports Rangers.

Violent bigot Thomas Gordon was jailed for more than seven years yesterday for the assault on Daniel Collingwood after a party in Govan, Glasgow, in January this year.

Gordon, 36, smiled and gave a thumbs-up to two women in the public gallery as he was led to the cells.

The High Court in Glasgow had heard how Gordon’s on-off partner held a Hogmanay party and he was there with his brother Edward, 44. Daniel and his girlfriend Danielle Gordon – the accused’s niece – also attended.

Douglas Fairlie QC, prosecuting, said: “During the party, Edward Gordon and Mr Collingwood argued about the upbringing of his son. The argument appeared to be about whether the child should support Celtic or Rangers.”

It is believed members of the Gordon family are Celtic-minded while the two-year-old boy is already a Rangers fan – and the court heard another row broke out after the party over what religion Daniel’s son should follow.

Mr Fairlie said: “The accused left the living room and went into the kitchen. Mr Collingwood felt uneasy and became concerned for his safety.

“He ran into the back garden but was unable to find an exit, so he attempted to run back into the house.”

The court heard that Edward Gordon pushed Daniel against a wall. Mr Fairlie added: “There was then an altercation during which the accused stabbed the complainer several times to the left side of his neck and shoulder area.”

The blood-soaked victim escaped and an ambulance was called. The court heard he had two serious wounds to his neck – one an inch from his jugular vein – and was left scarred for life.

Gordon, from Govan, admitted assaulting Daniel to the danger of his life. Gordon Jackson QC, defending, said: “This was a stupid Glasgow incident about football, Celtic and Rangers.”

Judge Lord Turnbull jailed Gordon for seven years and two months and told him he was lucky not to have been facing a murder charge.

Gordon did stand trial for murder in 2004 accused of killing a man at a karaoke night – but he walked free after a jury returned a not proven verdict.

In 1995, he was jailed for six years for assault. He also has a previous conviction for carrying a knife.

Last night, Daniel’s father Brian told the Record: “I think Gordon is absolute scum and we were hoping for a tougher jail sentence.

“He got seven years but will probably be out in less than four years. Where is the justice in that?”

Celtic fan jailed for stabbing Rangers fan

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-23084392

A man who stabbed his niece's partner after a row over what football team the victim's son should support has been jailed for seven years and two months.

Thomas Gordon, 36, carried out the attack on Daniel Collingwood at a flat in Ibrox, Glasgow, on New Year's day.

It is believed Gordon family members support Celtic while the two year-old child is being raised a Rangers fan.

Gordon was originally charged with attempted murder but pleaded guilty to assault to the danger of life.

A previous hearing at the High Court in Glasgow was told how Gordon's on-off partner Catherine Johnson held a party at her home in Rhynie Drive, Ibrox, on Hogmanay last year.

Upbringing argument

Gordon, from Govan, attended along with his 44 year-old brother, Edward.

Mr Collingwood and his girlfriend Danielle Gordon - the accused's niece - also attended.

Prosecutor Douglas Fairlie QC said: "During the party, Edward Gordon and Mr Collingwood argued about the upbringing of his son.

Continue reading the main story

“Start Quote

Given the proximity to the jugular vein, it is fortunate your victim did not die”

Lord TurnbullJudge

"It is stated that the argument appeared to be about whether the child should support Celtic or Rangers."

The court heard that Gordon, his brother and Mr Collingwood later left the flat in the early hours but returned when Edward Gordon realised he had left something behind.

Mr Fairlie said another row soon broke out at the house over what religion Mr Collingwood's boy should follow.

The advocate depute went on: "The accused left the living room and went into the kitchen.

"Mr Collingwood felt uneasy and became concerned for his safety. He ran into the back garden, but was unable to find an exit gate, so he attempted to run back into the house."

The court heard he was then grabbed by Edward Gordon, who pushed him against a wall as the accused stormed out.

Mr Fairlie told the court: "There was then an altercation during which the accused stabbed the complainer several times to the left side of his neck and shoulder area."

Murder acquittal

A blood-soaked Mr Collingwood managed to escape by jumping over garden fences. He went to a nearby property where his partner was and an ambulance was called.

The court heard the most serious wounds he suffered were to his neck. One was just two centimetres from his jugular vein.

Jailing him, judge Lord Turnbull told Gordon: "Given the proximity to the jugular vein, it is fortunate your victim did not die."

Gordon stood trial at the same court in 2004 charged with murdering 46-year-old Stephen Kerr at Benburb Social Club in Govan.

The attack happened at a football team night out but it was claimed Mr Kerr was killed by a hitman who fled to Spain.

A jury returned a not proven verdict on Gordon following a five day trial.

Gordon was jailed for six years in 1995 at the high court for assault.

He also has a previous conviction for carrying a knife in 2007.

Celtic fan faces new case over IRA songs

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/celtic-fan-faces-new-case-over-ira-songs.21397966?utm_content=buffer9d140&utm_source=buffer&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Buffer

A CELTIC fan who was acquitted of breaching controversial anti-bigotry legislation is to face prosecution again after a ruling by appeal judges.

Joseph Cairns, 20, had denied taking part in behaviour which would be likely to incite public disorder by chanting songs in support of the IRA at a match between Ross County and Celtic.

Police officers claimed during Mr Cairns's trial at Dingwall Sheriff Court that he had been singing lyrics from The Roll of Honour, a song about Republican hunger strikers, and the pro-IRA The Boys of the Old Brigade.

Mr Cairns, of Glasgow, was cleared by Sheriff Jamie Gilchrist, QC, after a no case to answer submission was made.

Prosecutors appealed against the decision and judges at the Justiciary Appeal Court in Edinburgh have recalled the acquittal and sent the case back to the sheriff to proceed with it.

Sheriff Gilchrist had taken the view the Crown had led evidence which, taken at its highest, was enough to prove he had sung words which expressed praise for hunger strikers and contained a line about joining the IRA.

However, the sheriff also had to believe the behaviour would be likely to incite public disorder. He told the court video evidence made it clear Mr Cairns and many other fans could be seen singing songs.

But he said: "It was quite impossible for the uninitiated listener to make out the words of what they were singing. Since there was no proper basis for inferring any person who might be incited to disorder would have been able to tell he was singing about the hunger strikers and the IRA, there was no proper basis for inferring his behaviour was likely to incite public disorder."

Lord Brodie, who heard the appeal with Lady Paton and Lord Philip, said they could not agree.

He said that, in enacting the initial clause of the offensive behaviour at football matches legislation, the Scottish Parliament had "created a criminal offence with an extremely long reach".

Advocate depute Andrew Brown, QC, said that as the police officers were able to recognise the song and hear words other people must have been able to do so.

Lord Brodie said the act distinguished between "a reasonable person" and a person "likely to be incited to public disorder".

The judge said: "The person likely to be incited to public disorder may have particular interests and particular knowledge. He may have particular views about the two songs in question and those who sing them."

However, he said the legislation meant such people need not be present for the purposes of deciding whether specific behaviour was likely to incite disorder.

Celtic fan Paul Hamill sentenced over sectarian abuse

A Celtic fan who subjected a police officer to sectarian abuse has been given a community payback order and told to carry out 80 hours unpaid work.

Paul Hamill was stopped from entering Celtic's Champions League home game against Spartak Moscow on 5 December as he was "severely intoxicated".

After being arrested he later swore and made sectarian remarks to an officer.

At Glasgow Sheriff Court, the 21-year-old, from East Kilbride, admitted abusive and threatening behaviour.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-22473152

Thirteen arrested in 'aggressive' protest by Celtic fans

Thirteen people have been arrested following a protest by the "Green Brigade" ahead of Saturday's SPL match at Parkhead.

A group of around 80 people were halted by Strathclyde Police after a crowd had gathered outside the Chrystal Bell pub in Glasgow's Gallowgate area at around 1pm on Saturday.

The Green Brigade, which describes itself as a "a broad front of anti-fascist, anti-racist and anti-sectarian Celtic supporters", had mounted the march over supporters receiving bans and what it described as "harassment by the police".

However, police said the demonstration was an "illegal street procession" and around 200 officers were used to disperse the march.

A police spokeswoman said: "The crowd were instructed that any procession on the road was illegal but that officers would facilitate a safe and orderly procession on the pavements toward their intended destination at Celtic Park.

"However, this was ignored and more officers were deployed as the crowd became increasingly confrontational and aggressive. The situation was contained a short time later.

"Thirteen people have been arrested so far in connection with alleged public order offences, and they are currently being processed. Police enquiries are continuing into the incident and officers will be studying CCTV and helicopter footage."

Following the incident, fans took to social media to criticise the police handling of the demonstration which saw a group of supporters prevented from leaving the area by a large number of officers with batons and mounted officers.

Before the match, the Green Brigade had said on its website that it would be holding a "corteo to Celtic Park to raise awareness and show support for the growing list of Celtic supporters receiving and facing bans from both the Club and the PF.

"It is no secret the level of harrassment many fans receive at the hands of Strathclyde Police nor is Celtic PLCs complicity able to be ignored. As such there is an ever growing list of fans being denied their passion of following their team."

http://news.stv.tv/scotland/217910-thirteen-arrested-in-aggressive-protest-by-green-brigade-in-gallowgate/

Thirteen Celtic fans arrested

Thirteen arrests have been made after police moved in to break up what they said was an unauthorised march by the Green Brigade group of Celtic fans.

Almost 200 officers were deployed to the gathering outside the Chrystal Bell pub in Glasgow's Gallowgate.

Police said the crowd "appeared to be attempting to stage an illegal street procession and officers were deployed to prevent this".

The arrests were made for alleged public order offences.

The Green Brigade had posted on its website ahead of the protest that it would be holding a "corteo to Celtic Park to raise awareness and show support for the growing list of Celtic supporters receiving and facing bans" from both the Scottish Premier League football club and the procurator fiscal.

It warned those taking part that police would "use every and any excuse to instigate trouble".

Strathclyde Police said many of the people at the pub "were wearing similar hooded tops and using scarves to hide their identities" at about 13:00.

Mounted officers

"The crowd were instructed that any procession on the road was illegal but that officers would facilitate a safe and orderly procession on the pavements toward their intended destination at Celtic Park," said a statement.

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More officers were deployed as the crowd became increasingly confrontational and aggressive”

Strathclyde Police

"However, this was ignored and more officers were deployed as the crowd became increasingly confrontational and aggressive.

"The situation was contained a short time later. CCTV and helicopter footage was captured and will be studied as part of the investigation."

Officers, including mounted personnel, who had already been deployed to deal with a number of planned events across the city had been diverted to deal with the incident.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon has previously praised the Green Brigade for the atmosphere they create inside the stadium but also urged a minority to stop singing pro-Irish Republican songs.

Ahead of the protest before the home match against Aberdeen, the Green Brigade said: "It is no secret the level of harassment many fans receive at the hands of Strathclyde Police.

"Nor is Celtic plc's complicity able to be ignored. As such, there is an ever-growing list of fans being denied their passion of following their team.

'Ongoing harassment'

"Unlike previous corteos held by the Green Brigade, this one has a little more meaning.

"While we urge as many fans as possible to turn out in support of all those currently banned and those facing ongoing harassment, it is important to remember the purpose behind this march.

"Therefore, we would appreciate it if colour was kept to a minimum in the form of flags and banners; similarly any chanting should be kept relevant to the topic at hand.

"The Green Brigade will be supplying 300 black t-shirts bearing the slogan 'The banned Bhoys stand with us' and these will be distributed to section members.

"We'd appreciate it if these shirts were worn on the march and also within the stadium to further highlight the situation."

The fans group claimed it would be police who would instigated any trouble, adding: "Please be mindful of the police presence and their actions. Please do not play into their hands.

"Avoid all communication as far as possible, have witnesses around you and a camera at hand to film/photograph them."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-21813699