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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Liam Bryce

Patrick Harvie savages Rangers as Green Party leader hints at Ibrox KO solution

Scottish Green Party leader Patrick Harvie has ripped into Rangers and accused the club of failing to "prevent dangerous mass gatherings".

Supporters gathered in large numbers at Ibrox and George Square over the weekend after Steven Gerrard's side were confirmed as Premiership champions.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon strongly condemned those who broke strict lockdown rules to celebrate the club's victory but Harvie insists it's simply not enough to appeal for it not to happen again.

He wants to see strong action taken amid fears similar scenes could unfold when Rangers and Celtic meet at Parkhead on March 21.

Harvie said: “We’d all like to go to mass gatherings. Some people would like to go to a party political conference - I’d like to go to a beer festival - but we don’t.

Rangers fans gathered at George Square on Sunday (SNS Group)

“The organisations and businesses that run such events have had to stop until it’s safe. Why should a football club be any different?

"A football club which, let’s be honest, seriously did nothing to prevent dangerous mass gatherings in its name, gatherings which trashed the public realm, risked the safety of front line workers as well as posing a public health threat.

"Surely it's not enough just to appeal to the good sense of those who’ve shown that they don’t care?

"Why are we even contemplating letting this business carry on in the weeks ahead when we know it’s likely to generate a repeat of the scenes we saw at the weekend?”

In response, the FM admitted she can't rule out pulling the plug on the upcoming derby clash.

She said: "In terms of future fixtures, I said in my opening remarks, there's a variety of discussions happening over course of this week, including one between myself and the chief constable later today.

"We will report back on those in due course, certainly before the scheduled Old Firm match on the March 21.

"The reason why we've tried to keep elite sport and football generally going, is not for the benefit of the elite sports people but for the fans.

"Everyone is being deprived of so much right now that the ability to watch a football match and cheer on your team on the television should be something that people should have the ability to do.

"But a minority can't be allowed to act irresponsibly.

"I hope we don't have to spoil that for the majority but we will have to assure ourselves that there will be no repeat of the scenes that we saw at the weekend.

"That, frankly, is still very much work in progress."

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