POLICE union leaders have accused TV companies of giving “troublemakers an opportunity” to cause carnage on the streets — by dictating football match times.
Safety fears are mounting ahead of next weekend’s SPFL fixtures, which see Celtic and Rangers both playing on the Sunday of the King’s Coronation bank holiday weekend.
Kick-off times mean the rival fans could be swarming Glasgow city centre at the same time — piling pressure on already stretched cops.
The Hoops are set to play Hearts at Tynecastle on Sunday May 7.
The Premiership fixture will be kicking off at 2.15pm – with a win seeing Ange Postecoglou’s men clinch the league title.
Just 45 minutes later in Glasgow, the Light Blues will take on Aberdeen at Ibrox.
The timings mean jubilant Celtic fans could arrive in the city at the same time Rangers fans are getting out of Ibrox — sparking fears that a minority of troublemakers could clash.
In previous years, title celebrations have seen thousands of fans flood the city centre — with the Parkhead faithful staging impromptu street parties around the Merchant City and east end of the city centre, including the Gallowgate.
And as it is a bank holiday weekend it is feared Rangers supporters could be on the streets in large numbers to continue celebrating the Coronation.
David Kennedy, general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation — which represents rank and file officers — has criticised the scheduling, hitting out at TV companies for dictating match times and giving troublemakers an opportunity.
He told The Scottish Sun on Sunday: “It’s always a problem, not for the general fans but for the element that want to fight.
“That is always an issue for the service.
“You would have hoped they would’ve changed the times of the games so that didn’t happen.
“One of the issues being raised is that we allow television to dictate what times and dates our matches are on.
“We should be turning that on its head and public safety should be dictating when games are on — and that is something we would like to see happen.
“There is always a high risk of trouble with two sets of fans meeting at the same time but its not your general fans.
“The high risk is those that want to fight or cause trouble.
“I know the vast majority of Rangers and Celtic fans are law abiding citizens but it gives the troublemakers an opportunity that wouldn’t be there if this wasn’t happening at that time.”
Mr Kennedy fears the weekend’s events will increase pressure on an even thinner blue line as the number of frontline cops reduces.
The SPF boss added: “They (cops) are stretched more and more, we don’t have the same number of police officers, we’ve reduced our numbers.
“We’ve got to make sure that our officers on the street are safe and that the public remain safe.
“So we will continue to lobby the Scottish Government for more police officers and better budgets
“Because as it stands at the moment, the way the budgets are, the way the numbers are going down — that’s not going to be safe for the public.”
Mr Kennedy said: “If people decide to stay out and drink on Sunday, it could be quite busy in Glasgow and in other parts of the country.
“If the weather is good and it’s a nice sunny day — that is another element where people will want to stay out and have a drink and then sometimes things boil over. It always has an impact.
“However, I don’t think the police can do anything about that.
“They just need to police what is coming.
“What they can change is when the fixtures are played and there’s control there.
“You have no control what happens on Sunday into Monday but our cops will be extremely busy.”
Chief Superintendent Mark Sutherland, Divisional Commander for Greater Glasgow, said: “The bank holiday weekend is going to be a busy one for the city with a wide range of events.
“I hope that everyone enjoys themselves whether they are attending a sporting event, a Coronation street party, or the big screen at Glasgow Cathedral.
“Police Scotland is working with a number of partners, including Glasgow City council to make sure everyone is prepared.
“Our message is to stay safe and I urge the public to take personal responsibility to behave appropriately and respect others and the city.
“An appropriate policing plan is in place to maintain public safety and minimise disruption to local communities.”
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