The SPFL has released a statement reiterating their stance on the use of pyrotechnics at football grounds.
The statement comes in the wake of a Celtic fan throwing one on to the pitch against St. Mirren last night. What’s it got to do with Rangers? Well, some of our fans enjoy using them too.
Thankfully, Rangers haven’t been embroiled in any behaviour on par with our pleasant friends across the city. But many fans would do well to consider this message, which was quoted on the Sky Sports Scotland Twitter account.
There’s two parts to this. When they are used well, then they can undoubtedly add to the atmosphere of a game. You need only look at the use of pyrotechnics when Rangers played Aberdeen at Hampden earlier in the season.
Granted, they had no bearing on an awful result. But they appear to be a part of modern football and there’s an ongoing discussion about them. This discussion, of course, affects Rangers.
Increased potential for injury
The other side of this is liability if someone gets hurt. Should someone smuggle a firecracker into the game and potentially damage someone to their injury, be it a fan or player, who is responsible?
The SFA? The SPFL? The football clubs themselves? It’s all well and good saying each fan must take responsibility, but it doesn’t work like that. That’s a large part of why they’re illegal – what if someone gets hurt?
Someone always has to carry the can and it’s very unlikely to be the individual in the crowd. With incidents like these, the message is that there’s always something more insidious at work. Even if there isn’t – accidents happen.
The SPFL have made their stance clear but whether it stops their use remains to be seen. Should Rangers fans continue to use them?
It’s been a busy day for the governing bodies in Scotland. The SFA have issued complaints to
