A Hearts fan has been hit with a football banning order over a racist incident at the Boxing Day Edinburgh Derby, with Police Scotland and the SPFL warning fans of intent to “eradicate” violent behaviour.
Hibernian FC player Jordan Obita could be seen speaking to police at at Tynecastle on December 26 when a comment was made towards substitutes in the dugout. A statement issued by Hearts at the time confirmed the fan was thrown out.
Officers confirmed on Thursday it was one of six such banning orders issued in recent weeks. And one Police Scotland chief said the force will use ‘all available tools’ at their disposal to ‘eradicate’ violent behaviour in sport.
Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie said the force was working with clubs and courts to tackle criminality and the league has also welcomed the “robust approach”.
Several people were also charged with different offences at the Edinburgh Derby on Boxing Day. A 46-year-old man pleaded guilty to a racial abuse offence when he appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on January 21 and also received a fine.
Other banning orders have been issued over the shocking incident where a disabled Raith Rovers fan was ambushed by a wild mob in a vicious attack on January 2 last year. Kieren Ross, 18, was attacked by a gang of thugs as he waited for a bus home from a game at rivals Dunfermline Athletic.
We told how ex-soldier Mackenzie King, 22, and 19-year-old Callum Beautyman were convicted at Dunfermline Sheriff Court on Wednesday, January 15. The pair were issued with football banning orders and also a community payback order and a restriction of liberty order for the violence.
Three other men, aged 26, 27 and 62, have also been given football banning orders this month after they plead guilty to offences including breach of the peace and assault at separate matches last year. The incidents occured at the Celtic v Aberdeen fixture in November 2023, Aberdeen v Dundee in March 2024 and Aberdeen v Rangers in April 2023.
Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie said: “We should all be able to go to a football match and enjoy the game without fear of violence or disorder. We will use all available tools at our disposal to eradicate this unacceptable behaviour.
“Football banning orders can be instrumental in helping us keep fans, players and our communities safe. We will continue to work with the clubs and courts to tackle criminality.”
Calum Beattie, the SPFL’s chief operating officer said: “We warmly applaud the robust approach from the police and courts in dealing with this disgraceful behaviour, as well as the swift action taken by our clubs to identify the individuals involved.
“The fact that a football banning order was imposed in these cases is entirely appropriate and we welcome the use of this restriction as an effective deterrent to other forms of unacceptable behaviour in stadia.”
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