With the Scottish football season building to its climax, prominent supporter groups across the country have united to denounce what they describe as the growing criminalisation of fans by Police Scotland.
Celtic’s North Curve — the section of Parkhead housing the Green Brigade — is at the forefront of this movement, releasing a strongly worded joint statement highlighting concerns over the use of so-called “emergency” powers and heavy-handed policing tactics at football matches.
The sentiment was echoed by fellow ultras groups across the country, including Motherwell’s Block E, Partick Thistle Ultras, Ultras Paisley, Hibernian’s Block Seven, and St Johnstone’s Fair City Unity.
Together, they’ve issued a statement warning against the increasing use of Section 60 powers, which allow police to search fans without suspicion and compel the removal of face coverings.
The statement accuses Police Scotland of misusing Section 60 powers to harass, detain and intimidate fans without cause, and warns that several clubs have contributed to a hostile environment by publicly condemning their own supporters.
The Green Brigade and their allies argue this has created a toxic media narrative that unjustly targets young ultras groups and fuels repressive policing.
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It read: “As the Scottish football season reaches its climax, supporters continue to bring the colour, passion and noise that define our game.
“A thriving fan culture has energised clubs and supported communities, both inside and outside stadiums. Though some elements of the fan scene will not appeal to everyone, this energetic support remains one of Scottish football’s greatest assets.
“Despite these overwhelmingly positive contributions, there is a growing concern over the treatment of supporters.
“This has been demonstrated recently by Police Scotland’s use of so-called ‘emergency’ Section 60 powers at matches, with supporters being kettled, harassed and detained without cause.
“Alarmingly, several clubs have actively contributed to this hostile climate by issuing public irresponsible and unjustified condemnations of their own supporters, particularly younger ultras groups, feeding an increasingly dangerous media narrative that empowers repressive policing tactics.
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“Under normal circumstances, police officers in Scotland can only request the following details if they suspect you have committed a crime, or if they believe you have information about one:
• Address
• Date of birth
• Nationality
• Place of birth
"Under such circumstances, these are the only details you are required to share."
• They may search individuals within a defined area without suspicion.
• They may compel the removal of face coverings, but only if explicitly authorised in the order.
"Critically, a Section 60 order does not allow police to:
• Demand personal details without suspicion.
• Require proof of ID.
• Access your mobile phone.
"Regrettably, we are aware that police do not always adhere to legal boundaries when dealing with football fans. There is no guarantee that officers will refrain from attempted bullying or intimidation, but it is important that supporters know their rights and assert them.
"The misuse of police powers against football fans is nothing new. We have seen this pattern before with the discredited Offensive Behaviour at Football (Scotland) Act, which was defeated by fan resistance. We urge all supporters across Scotland to unite once more against repression and criminalisation. If the police believe that we will quietly accept Section 60 powers becoming the norm, then they are profoundly mistaken."
