Police Scotland’s two tier approach to football fans was clearly evident at Sunday’s SPFL fixtures in Glasgow and Falkirk.
Despite securing a credible draw away from home, Russell Martin required a police escort to leave the Falkirk Stadium as a result of a few dozen angry bears doing as they pleased outside the stadium.
The Police Scotland contingent watched on as one raging fan walked to within a few feet of Martin’s car to shout and point at the soon-to-be sacked head coach.
Earlier the fans decided to block the visiting team bus in the car park. The decision taken was to move the bus, not the fans.
Police Scotland relayed a message to the Ibrox bound players to explain why they weren’t being allowed to leave the stadium. Away fans are given around 750 tickets this season at the Falkirk Stadium.
And yet, just a few hours earlier at Celtic Park, Police Scotland were using their preferred approach for games at that venue – kettling.
Angry fans block Rangers team bus after Falkirk drawhttps://t.co/GL1ccx2ab9 pic.twitter.com/GvWa5EXIOY
— STV News (@STVNews) October 6, 2025
On Sunday a few dozen Motherwell fans were kettled at the Emirates stadium while en route to Celtic Park. Soon afterwards they were released, allowed to attend the match.
LONDON ROAD
There was no such luck for a few hundred Celtic fans in March this year when they left the London Road social club to attend the Glasgow derby.
Not only did they miss the game as the result of being held for five hours. They were also denied access to drinking water and toilet facilities.
None of the Celtic fans kettled that day were threatening a manager or players. They were certainly not blocking a team bus.
The only people blocking coaches that day were Police Scotland who effectively shut off London Road with their determination to delay innocent Celtic fans attending the game.
It is now long overdue for someone to challenge Police Scotland on their disproportionate policing policy.
FAIRHURST INQUIRY
At Monday’s meeting with the Celtic Fans Collective, CEO Michael Nicholson revealed that he will be meeting with Police Scotland soon to discuss the disgraceful events on London Road on 16 March this year.
When pressed on taking a fan representative to the meeting, Nicholson said he would ask for permission from Police Scotland.
Ask for permission? It appears the club CEO has forgotten the nature of public service.
In this context the fans who were kettled on London Road are the public, and Police Scotland are their servants.
Paid for out the public purse by tax paying citizens such as those that attempted to attend the match.
SALARIES
Armed with the fans experiences expressed in the Fairhurst Inquiry, its time for Michael Nicholson to demand answers.
It is worth reminding the CEO that both his salary and those of Police Scotland are paid for by those Celtic fans who were kettled that day. They want answers.
As do all the fans who were forced to abandon their buses and walk to the stadium. As a result of the actions of the boys in Blue.
The Fairhurst Inquiry may have kicked the can down the road but now there is no excuse for not holding Police Scotland to account.
The Offensive Behaviour at Football Act has been repealed, Bernard Higgins is not signing for Celtic. It’s time for both Celtic and Police Scotland to move on and accept the new reality.
Celtic fans will not accept two tier policing.
Russell Martin required a police escort from Falkirk’s stadium away from Rangers fans.
He’s finally been sacked.
— BETDAQ (@BETDAQ) October 6, 2025
