The fierce, famous rivalry of Glasgow’s Old Firm has come into question this week over the violence which shone through the emotional cracks of proud men. Though, it has to be remembered this is no mere football clash, this is history. To the police it is just a match which will cause some fans to ‘kick off’ but to everyone involved in the football game, this is the world most famous fixture, and once again as always passion will run high.
Officers post-match stated that something needs to be done throwing out the idea of ‘playing the fixture behind closed doors’. Yes, good idea, instead of having the fans against each other, they can unite in a war against the Football Association and even then the passion runs through the veins not only of the fans but the opposing players, shown by the heated exchange between Neil Lennon (Celtic) and Ally McCoist (Rangers).
It is an issue, this match, but is it the worst issue that the police need look at? Does some heated discussion between two of this countries top footballers cause for more concerns than drug use in Glasgow? Than the organised gang culture which terrorise locals and vandalise city property? Well obvious to the police it is. Surely they need to take there mind off what is happening around the sporting universe and concentrate on dealing with the main crime at hand.
This fixture is always going to spit up some disputes, but surely the police should just back off and leave this to the handling of the Football Association Disciplinary Committee. Surely a few words should not be subject to a police investigation. This is football, not murder.
