As Rangers and Hibernian fans head to the sell-out Scottish Cup Final at Hampden Park tomorrow, Police Scotland is reminding fans to get to the ground in plenty of time, go easy on the alcohol and to leave the pyrotechnics at home.
The match will be played at Hampden Park to a sell out crowd in Glasgow and Police Scotland is offering some advice to supporters coming to the game.
On Saturday 21st May, Rangers and Hibernian meet in the 131st Scottish Cup Final and it is the first final contested between two current non top-flight teams.
Superintendent Alan Murray said the following;
“As always the focus for Police Scotland is the safety of fans going to and from the game as well as that of everyone else who will be in the city centre and around Hampden Park.
“The biggest issue for police on match days is people who drink too much ahead of the game. On this occasion the kick-off is a bit later than usual – 3pm – so fans will have more drinking time beforehand.
“Most will be sensible, but some will totally underestimate the amount they’ve had to drink and are not best pleased when they are turned away from the game – for their own safety and that of other supporters inside the ground.
“Why miss the game just because you have had a few too many? Our advice would be, if you are going to drink, do so sensibly and come along and enjoy the day.
“I would also remind fans coming from Edinburgh and the east of the country of the by-law in Glasgow that prohibits the drinking alcohol in the street. It is an offence to do so and you will be charged if caught. It’s also illegal to drink on the coach/minibus or train to the football.
“Additional police patrols will be at the ground and in Glasgow City Centre and we are working with our colleagues at British Transport Police to assist with minimising disruption and congestion on major routes and to ensure anyone intent on causing any trouble before, during or after the game, will be arrested.
“There will also be an additional security cordon around the ground where police and stewards will search supporters looking for pyrotechnics, as well as other prohibited items.
“Pyrotechnics are very dangerous, not only the fact they explode and can hurt someone, also when they go off, people move away from them causing the crowd to move or surge causing crushing and people falling over. Please do not being any into the ground.
“Both sets of fans are well versed at visiting Hampden. They’ve both been here this year already with no issues and I am confident that will be the case this Saturday.
“All I can say is to plan your journey, get to the game on time, don’t overdo it with the drink and have a great time.”
Advice
It is an offence:
- To enter the sports ground if you are in possession of any pyrotechnic device including flares, fireworks, pellets etc (matches/cigarette lighters are not included).
- To attempt to enter the sports ground with a controlled container (any bottle, can or other portable container whether open or sealed) or alcohol either prior to, during or after the game. This is also the case inside the arena or in the surrounding area.
- To be drunk within or to attempt to enter whilst drunk a sports stadium or surrounding area.
- To be in possession of alcohol or be drunk aboard a coach or mini-bus taking you to a sporting event. The driver, keeper, employee or person hiring the vehicle on which alcohol is being carried also commits an offence.
Note: Police checks on buses and mini buses travelling to this game will be undertaken.
- To drink alcohol or be in possession of an open container which contains alcohol in a public place
- To use threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour or who displays written material likely to stir up racial or sectarian hatred is guilty of an offence.
Hampden Information
Fans attending both games are advised that there is a segregation barrier in place at Hampden Park at the centre of the north stand on Somerville Drive, Glasgow.
There will be no through access so fans are reminded to use the routes as advised by stewards on the day.
Hibs fans should come to the stadium from the east side i.e. from Aikenhead Road, and Rangers fans from the west side i.e. Cathcart Road.
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
