21 Mar 2025 18:30:09
Police Scotland released this statement in relation to the weekend's match:
Fans reported for refusing to be searched by police under Section 60, Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994
A group of 90 people, most of whom had concealed their identity, were denied entry to Celtic Park after refusing to be searched by officers under the applied Section 60 powers on Sunday, 16 March 2025.
It was the opinion of officers that they posed a threat to the safety of people within the stadium and to the public due to possible possession of weapons and pyrotechnics.
Whilst the group was contained, pyrotechnics were disposed of and set off causing a fire, endangering both the public and officers. Thankfully no-one was injured.
All 90 people will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal in relation to contraventions of Section 60.
As part of the wider policing operation there was one arrest at the match; a 20-year-old man. He was arrested and charged for alleged police assault on approach to the stadium. He has been released on an Undertaking to appear at court at a later date.
A second man, aged 46, is the subject of a report to the Procurator Fiscal for allegedly being in possession of a pyrotechnic.
Chief Superintendent Stevie Dolan, who led the policing operation, said:
"Again, the vast majority of fans were simply there to enjoy the match and I would thank them for their good conduct.
"It was necessary to apply containment tactics to maintain public safety and deal effectively with those intent on disruption or non-compliance with relevant legislation, including powers under Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994. As a result, some groups of supporters missed the game, but that was their choice.
"Our priority is and always will be the safety of fans in and around the stadium and the general public in the wider city. To support that, enforcement of Section 60 and other legislation was undertaken proportionately, with search powers being enacted in a targeted manner.
"Non-compliance with the Section 60 powers resulted in 90 people being reported to the Procurator Fiscal. Others have been arrested or reported for other offences, including the assault of a police officer.
"A significant number of pyrotechnics were seized or prevented from entering the stadium, which again demonstrates the disregard that some supporters have for the safety of others.
"We will continue to work with partners, including the clubs, to improve safety and order and to ensure that the sporting event is the real focus. "
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After a review of Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 I can confirm that this part of the legislation applies only in England and Wales. Police Scotland has no legal authority to conduct searches under this provision.
In Scotland, there is no equivalent Section 60 power. All stop and searches must be based on reasonable suspicion, as outlined in the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2016. This means that blanket stop and search without suspicion is unlawful in Scotland.
If supporters were denied entry, detained for extended periods, or charged solely under Section 60, there appears to be no legal basis for these actions under Scottish law. This could render the police operation unlawful and open to legal challenge.
It is also alleged that a group of fans was detained for six hours through the use of "kettling" tactics, preventing them from leaving the area. During this time, they were reportedly denied access to food, water, and toilet facilities. The prolonged nature of this detention and deprivation of basic needs may raise serious human rights concerns, particularly regarding Article 5 (Right to Liberty) and Article 3 (Prohibition of Inhuman or Degrading Treatment) of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) .
Anyone affected should seek legal advice regarding potential breaches of their rights and consider challenging any actions taken under the unlawful application of Section 60 and the extended detention tactics used.
Victims could pursue several legal actions against Police Scotland. One option is a civil action for damages, seeking compensation for unlawful detention, distress, and breach of rights. If successful, this could result in financial redress.
Another possible avenue is a Judicial Review, challenging the legality of the police actions in court. A successful ruling could confirm that the use of Section 60 was unlawful and set a precedent for future cases.
Individuals may also file a complaint with the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) , which investigates police misconduct in Scotland. If wrongdoing is found, this could lead to disciplinary action against officers involved.
If UK courts fail to provide adequate redress, victims could take their case to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) , arguing violations of Article 5 (Right to Liberty) and Article 3 (Prohibition of Inhuman or Degrading Treatment) .
Those affected should seek legal representation from a solicitor specialising in human rights or public law. It is also crucial to document all available evidence, including videos, testimonies, timestamps, and medical records, to support potential legal claims. Additionally, if multiple victims wish to take legal action, they may consider joining a collective lawsuit, strengthening their case and increasing the likelihood of success.
21 Mar 2025 21:30:05
The police report would have many lies, and untruths . There is no explanation as why they happened to be outside the social club at Barrowfield and waiting for these fans to come out . I don’t believe all these fans had face covered preventing recognition.
Police Scotland don’t have much credibility amongst decent football fans as they continue to send blind and deaf cops to Sevco games to help them to enjoy their party songs of hatred.
22 Mar 2025 10:24:24
The more I hear about this incident the more sinister it sounds. Yes the GB will have been difficult to deal with, but that is no excuse for what sounds like a premeditated, disproportionate and illegal response by one of Scotland’s many corrupt organisations.
I’m sure I saw pyros go off among the tribute act fans during the game. Obviously the same rigor not applied in their case, despite them having a track record of storing and using weapons and missiles during countless games against us. Don’t you just love Scotland! … and don’t get me started on 3 bigots straight out of our ‘media’ and straight into the Sevco dugout…. Only in our warped country!
22 Mar 2025 11:01:12
police set up stripping our rights and freedoms day by day. you do not have to let them search you. only if you give them your consent they are allowed.
22 Mar 2025 11:09:56
4.18, section 60, criminal justice act,1984, does apply to Scotland, according to my googling, allowing stop and search,
22 Mar 2025 14:51:10
trust me there are not allowed to search you if you do no consent to a search. they police by consent.
22 Mar 2025 15:33:42
Sorry UI but you are wrong on this occasion ?♂️.
22 Mar 2025 19:18:55
The act is from 1994 and it is for England and Wales. From my understanding there are a few parts that apply to Scotland but I could not see where it said section 60 applies. Could you please link or post where it says section 60 applies to Scotland.
22 Mar 2025 19:38:42
They can search you without your consent, if they suspect you are carrying something illegal.
23 Mar 2025 14:27:43
lawman trust me im not wrong as i have done it myself before. stopped me and my mates for a search. started to search one of my mates and i says offericer i don't not consent to your search or questions im going to be on my way now and started to walk away. and he says that's fine and let me walk away wile searching my mate who had already consented. told my other mate to walk away. as soon as he walked away the copper put his hand on my mates shoulder as he was walking away and my mate pulled away and he jailed my mate for a breach obv radgeing that i had done him with not consenting so stiched my mate up and done him for a breach for pulling away.
23 Mar 2025 15:56:34
UI the post was about being detained under Sec 60 that you said you could walk away from if you didn't consent to a search. Which is wrong. The Police cannot search you if they don't have reasonable suspicion that you are not in possession of drugs, offensive weapons, stolen property or in this post under Section 60. I imagine that in your case the Police were either fishing for an offence or didn't suspect you of committing any offence.