Statement on the William Hill Scottish Cup Final Commission

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Stewart Regan, Scottish FA Chief Executive:

 

“The Scottish FA is grateful to Sheriff Principal Bowen for producing such a comprehensive independent review of the circumstances immediately following the William Hill Scottish Cup final.

 

“The Board received first sighting at its meeting yesterday and we will consider the report in greater detail in early course.

 

“We are pleased SP Bowen acknowledges that the processes and procedures of the match operation were robust.

 

“Nevertheless, we will work closely with the other parties involved to ensure the commission’s findings are clearly and consistently understood.

 

“In the meantime, the Compliance Officer will now proceed with the investigation into the cup final from the perspective of the Judicial Panel Protocol.

 

“We are committed to ensuring that there is no repeat of the scenes that detracted from this showpiece occasion and will give full consideration to the recommendations set out by SP Bowen in respect of the Scottish FA’s future planning of major sporting events under our jurisdiction.”

 

http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/resources/documents/Documents/ScottishCupFinal2016Report/Scottish%20Cup%20Final%202016%20Commission%20of%20Enquiry%20-%20Report%20of%20SP%20Bowen.pdf

Edited August 5, 2016 by JFK-1

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It appears to largely blame hibs support. Hardly surprising. Anything else would have been ludicrous.

 

Had the Hibs supporters who invaded the pitch stopped at the halfway line

and confined themselves to celebrating their team’s victory, there would

have been little need for this inquiry. The violent scenes which caused

apprehension to many within the ground, and wider public condemnation,

were caused by the minority who behaved in the manner indicated in

paragraph 7.1.2 above.

 

The hostile and irresponsible attitude of that minority

requires to be addressed. Whilst there may be some who are impervious to

reason, I have heard evidence that the Supporter Liaison Officer Scheme,

recommended by UEFA, has had considerable success in moderating the

attitude of fans and in particular the behaviour of travelling supporters.

[aweebluesoandso 290]

Nails the hivs thugs, but the report lacks clarity and condemnation on the clear assaults on Rangers players and staff.

Edited August 5, 2016 by aweebluesoandso

[Uilleam 5,537]

To sum up: 200 Hibs fans fought 200 Rangers fans on the pitch.

Result: Equal sanction under SFA/SPFL Rules.

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Club Statement

 

RANGERS will take time to consider fully the findings of the report into the pitch invasion by Hibernian supporters at the end of the Scottish Cup final and make further comment at the appropriate time.

 

At present we wish to do nothing that might detract from the team’s first match back in Scottish football’s top flight.

 

We can state however that we will be seeking an urgent meeting with the author of the report, Sheriff Principal Edward Bowen, the Scottish FA’s Chief Executive Stewart Regan and his Compliance Officer, Tony McGlennan.

 

It is imperative that we gain insight into the underlying basis for the findings in the report given that we consider it contains a number of factual inaccuracies and contradictions. It is right that the Club gives the author and requisitioner of the report the opportunity to comment on our concerns prior to making a conclusive statement.

 

It is to be hoped that the Scottish FA, as they begin considering this report and the appropriate punishments, remember vividly what actually occurred on Saturday, May 21, 2016 at the National Stadium when Hibernian fans were allowed to invade the field of play and attack Rangers players and staff, who were offered little protection.

 

http://rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/club-statement-63/

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Club Statement

 

RANGERS will take time to consider fully the findings of the report into the pitch invasion by Hibernian supporters at the end of the Scottish Cup final and make further comment at the appropriate time.

 

At present we wish to do nothing that might detract from the team’s first match back in Scottish football’s top flight.

 

We can state however that we will be seeking an urgent meeting with the author of the report, Sheriff Principal Edward Bowen, the Scottish FA’s Chief Executive Stewart Regan and his Compliance Officer, Tony McGlennan.

 

It is imperative that we gain insight into the underlying basis for the findings in the report given that we consider it contains a number of factual inaccuracies and contradictions. It is right that the Club gives the author and requisitioner of the report the opportunity to comment on our concerns prior to making a conclusive statement.

 

It is to be hoped that the Scottish FA, as they begin considering this report and the appropriate punishments, remember vividly what actually occurred on Saturday, May 21, 2016 at the National Stadium when Hibernian fans were allowed to invade the field of play and attack Rangers players and staff, who were offered little protection.

 

http://rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/club-statement-63/

 

What do we think the 'factual inaccuracies' are that this statement refers to? I can only guess it's to do with the numbers involved. Were there really as many as 200 rangers fans on the field?

 

I also think we should be challenging why there is no mention of physical abuse of our players.

 

Overall I think team findings do conclude what we hoped - that Hibs fans are to blame for what occurred.

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This part of the time line is significant.

 

16.51.58 Final whistle.

 

16.51.58 Large numbers of Hibs fans came over the barriers by a variety of routes

and ran past the stewards and Police Officers onto the pitch. At this stage

primacy for safety and security was passed from the HPL Safety Officer

to Police Scotland.

 

16.52.10 The vanguard of Hibs supporters crossed the halfway line and headed

towards the West end of the Stadium.

 

Large numbers were on the pitch the very moment the final whistle was blown and within 12 seconds of that whistle "crossed the halfway line and headed towards the West end of the Stadium"

 

This was no outburst of celebratory "exuberance" As the report illustrates they took just 12 seconds to cross the halfway line and head towards the Rangers support who were STILL in the stands. THAT was the intention the moment they stepped on to the pitch.

[compo 6,280]

never expected anything else from the authorities just amazed were not made to pay hibs compensation

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What do we think the 'factual inaccuracies' are that this statement refers to?

 

I would say this for one.

 

There is no evidence to suggest that the pitch invasion was planned

 

Not true according to what I have heard. Supposedly it was all over social media that this was always their intention.

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I also think we should be challenging why there is no mention of physical abuse of our players.

.

 

Think it at least touches on it here.

 

There were incidents involving direct physical confrontation with Rangers players which included the hurling of obscene language and sectarian abuse. Similar conduct was directed at Rangers officials. There was chaos and confusion in the Technical Area. The fans who proceeded to the West end of the Stadium engaged in abusive taunting of Rangers supporters, with a view to generating a hostile reaction. There were incidents of wilful, direct and abusive defiance of lawful instructions given by Police Officers at the time of the pitch invasion. None of this can be justified on the basis of high spirits.