Police Scotland said Celtic Football Club failed to plan for fan celebrations and did not take responsibility for supporter conduct outside the stadium [1, 2].
The lack of coordination raises concerns for public safety in Glasgow. Authorities said they are bracing for potential anti-social behavior and disruption resulting from unofficial fan gatherings outside Celtic Park [2, 5].
The criticism comes ahead of the final day of the Scottish Premiership season this Saturday. The match serves as a title decider between Celtic and Hearts, with a scheduled kick-off time of 12:30 p.m. [1, 4].
Law enforcement officials said the club did not adequately prepare for the scale of the event [3]. The high stakes of the match contribute to the volatility of the crowd, particularly as Hearts could win the league for the first time in 66 years if they secure a victory [4].
Police Scotland said the responsibility for managing supporters' conduct outside the grounds falls on the club [1, 2]. Without a comprehensive plan for celebrations, the police said the risk of disorder increases during the pivotal clash [2, 5].
Celtic Park in Glasgow remains the focal point for the security operation as both sets of fans prepare for the encounter [1, 4]. Police said they have not specified the exact nature of the missing plans but highlighted the need for a structured approach to prevent city-wide disruption [3, 5].
“Police say Celtic failed to plan for fan celebrations”
This dispute highlights the tension between professional sports clubs and civil authorities regarding the 'duty of care' for fans once they leave the stadium perimeter. Because the match determines the league championship and involves a historic potential milestone for Hearts, the police are prioritizing urban stability over the club's existing security protocols.
