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.
