The SPFL has issued a strong statement condemning the appalling incident during Thursday’s Glasgow Derby, where Celtic midfielder Arne Engels was struck by a coin thrown from the crowd at Ibrox.
It was later revealed that Brendan Rodgers was the target of missiles in the dugout.
The governing body has called on fans to assist Police Scotland in identifying the individuals responsible, stressing the severity of such reckless behaviour.
In a statement released on Friday, the SPFL expressed its dismay at the events and outlined its commitment to eradicating such incidents from Scottish football:
“This behaviour is completely unacceptable, and we fully support any steps taken to identify those responsible for such idiotic, criminal acts,” an SPFL statement said.
“The dangers of so-called supporters throwing such items on to the pitch are obvious and anyone found guilty of such disgraceful conduct must be dealt with severely by the courts, including the imposition of football banning orders.
“We await the match delegate’s report and we would urge any fans with relevant information to contact Police Scotland.”
The shocking moment occurred during the second half when Engels was preparing to take a corner. The Belgian midfielder was struck by a coin, forcing him to pause and hold his face in pain. The coin was immediately handed to the police for investigation.
This follows a history of missile-related incidents at Ibrox, including the infamous discovery of broken glass in Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart’s penalty area during a previous derby clash and a member of Celtic’s staff requiring stitches to the head.
Condemnation Across the Board
Prominent voices within Scottish football, including BBC pundit Tom English, have lambasted the incident. English said:
“It’s absolutely disgusting. What level of idiocy are we dealing with? Name him, shame him, charge him, ban him. Get rid of him.”
The SPFL and both clubs are urging swift action from the authorities to identify and prosecute the individuals responsible. Fans are being reminded of the importance of maintaining a safe and respectful environment at matches.
With Scottish football already under scrutiny, incidents like this tarnish the reputation of the game and highlight the need for stricter enforcement and accountability.
This is a common enough theme within Scottish football.
Statements mean nothing and the problems will continue.
Simple solution is any player hit with a dangerous missle, then abandon the game and award the points to the offended team?
Would stop the goons within our own support taken part in such disgraceful actions?
Let the supporters take care of such eejits, if putting there club at such risks.
And even if games are lost for the offending teams supporters, then take another 3 off them?
Would stop quickly enough imo, instead of giving arse holes hero status, as the scum would be presently doing for such offenders?
Words been going on since 2012 Celtic board have to step up and refuse to set foot in ibrox hampden would be suitable supporters are further from players but at ibrox u can touch crowd not surprising our fullbacks and wingers where missing you can hear the hatred ball boys refusing to throw ball to Cektic player now that’s years of inbred hatred from household protestant and RC churches have to do something but these people on both sides must say 30percent of Celtic supporters have this hate but The Rangers now known after the demise of RFC now RIFC and is 80 or more percent sheer hatred by its always been there but respect was there by clubs board now they are no respect gov and lawlords the churches can’t do much cause most of those fans don’t go to there religious houses churches and I must say yir not a RC just by baptism or christening you need to go to mass mist times to be a practising Catholic so those that don’t go have no right to think they are Roman Catholics and I dare say RIFC supporters are the same shaming your faith if you did go to your worship place you would respect human beings
Following years of similar incidents Ibrox should be officially declared unsafe.
This Fan (if you can call a fellow human a football stadia, coin throwing shi7ebag such !!!!!) both this fan and rifc should be fined.
When anyone throws a object onto the field of play, whilst the geme is in progress.
They should be found and fined (and banned for ever) and so should the team they are a fan of.
No matter, what team, no matter what stadia. The stadia bosses should be fined, for not controlling their own fans
This would a good way of seiving out these idiots.