Two Rangers supporters have been handed five-year Football Banning Orders after admitting their involvement in disorder following the Scottish Cup quarter-final against Celtic at Ibrox in March.
Mackenzie Graham, 21, from Glasgow, and John Smith, 19, from Peterhead, were separately identified in footage of the disorder which followed the Old Firm clash.
According to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), Graham was filmed jumping over a fence and leading a group of supporters onto the pitch, while repeatedly encouraging others to follow.
Smith was seen throwing a bottle towards Celtic supporters in the stand before being apprehended by police officers.
The disorder continued as peaceful supporters were being moved to safety, with COPFS stating that children and disabled fans were among those caught up in the scenes.
Graham was sentenced on August 21 to a two-year Community Payback Order and an Electronic Monitoring Order. He was also given a five-year Football Banning Order, preventing him from attending any football ground in the UK and from travelling to support any team.
Smith was sentenced last month to a 12-month Community Payback Order and a four-month Restriction of Liberty Order, alongside his own five-year Football Banning Order.
Both men admitted the charges against them.
COPFS condemns behaviour
Fraser Gibson, Procurator Fiscal for Glasgow and Strathkelvin, criticised the actions of both men and the wider impact of the disorder.
“The behaviour of these two men contributed to mayhem at a major sporting event,” he said.
“Peaceful supporters, children and disabled people were caught up in the chaos and had to be shepherded to safety.
“It should be understood that anyone who chooses to contribute to football-related disorder can expect to be held accountable by COPFS, Police Scotland and the courts.”
The wider issue for Scottish football
The sentences underline the consequences of disorder at football matches, particularly when incidents put uninvolved supporters at risk.
There is a clear distinction between the intensity and emotion that surrounds an Old Firm fixture and behaviour which crosses the line into criminal disorder.
The five-year bans are significant. Graham and Smith are not simply prohibited from attending Rangers or Celtic matches; their Football Banning Orders prevent them from entering any football ground in the UK for the duration of the orders and, in Graham's case, from travelling to support any team.
The events surrounding this particular Old Firm fixture also highlighted the unacceptable behaviour of supporters on both sides, with Celtic fans mocking the Ibrox disaster with graffiti, invading the park and attacking stewards, while breaking LED advertising boards.
Whatever happened before or during the disorder, two wrongs do not make a right. Any Celtic supporters who behaved unlawfully or endangered others should be held to the same standard and face the appropriate consequences.
Rangers supporters cannot use the behaviour of Celtic fans to justify their own actions, just as Celtic supporters cannot point to Rangers fans to excuse theirs.
Football rivalry can be fierce, but it should never come at the expense of the safety of ordinary supporters. Children, disabled fans and families should be able to attend an Old Firm fixture without being caught up in violence, disorder or intimidation.
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