Misbehaving Old Firm players could be arrested on pitch in cup semi-final

Cops dish out warning to Celtic and Rangers ahead of ‘Armageddon’ clash.

Old Firm players have been warned that they face criminal charges if they step out of line at next weekend’s powderkeg clash.

The tough edict was delivered by police officers who visited both Rangers and Celtic’s training grounds last week. They laid down the law amid fears rival tensions could see the derby the first in almost three years spiral out of control.

Players have been told not to excessively celebrate goals, use provocative gestures or even throw their shirts into the crowd. They have been warned they may be arrested on the pitch if they ignore the warnings.

Any moves to charge players would be a throwback to the infamous 1987 Old Firm match which resulted in four players being hauled to court on breach of the peace charges.

“The message was clear you absolutely have to behave,” a police source said.

Next Sunday’s League Cup semi-final has been dubbed Armageddon by some fans. The Hampden fixture will be the first time the bitter rivals have met since April 2012.

“For many of the players involved it will be their first experience of the fixture and it was made absolutely clear to them they are not exempt from the law,” our insider added.

“If they behave in a violent or disorderly manner the police will report them to the procurator fiscal and that may lead to a criminal conviction. Both squads were left in no doubt that any trouble will be dealt with.”

The Sunday Post can reveal five officers from Police Scotland briefed the players at both Murray Park and Lennoxtown, delivering a series of warnings. Each squad was told there will be dire consequences if they fail to conduct themselves within the law at all times.

Off-the-ball incidents will be treated the same as ordinary offences on the street and any flash points that come to light after the match could still lead to prosecutions.

The players were even told they must remain on the pitch at all times as the area between the field of play and the perimeter fence is for stewards, police and emergency staff only.

Away from the fixture itself the players have also been told to avoid posting inflammatory remarks on social media.

Last year, the Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland set out new guidelines for online prosecutions. He said: “The rule of thumb is simple if it would be illegal to say it on the street, it is illegal to say it online.”

It’s not the first time the Old Firm have been told to behave themselves.

In March 2011, then Lord Advocate Elish Angiolini issued a warning to the players and management ahead of the Co-op Cup Final.

A month earlier a Scottish Cup fifth-round replay at Celtic Park descended into chaos when three Rangers players were sent off and 34 supporters arrested. Neil Lennon and Ally McCoist were also handed touchline bans after squaring up to each other in an angry exchange.

Dame Angiolini told police she expected action to be taken if players or management committed crimes.

Officers were told they should “pay particular regard to incidents where the violence or disorderly behaviour has occurred after the whistle has been blown and whilst the ball is dead”.

She said “sportsmen cannot be regarded as exempt from the law” and advised that if violence went over and above what would be expected, even in contact sports, then an assault may have been committed.

But there was widespread criticism of her stance.

Ex-Rangers vice-chairman Donald Findlay QC said: “To do this risks cranking the whole thing up again. At the first foul you will have one lot screaming at the police to go on to the pitch and make an arrest.”

The sell-out game kicks off at 1.30pm next Sunday. Tickets between the sides have been split evenly, with a 21,000 allocation for each. Online tickets have been sold for as much as £1,000 each.

Last night, a spokeswoman for Police Scotland confirmed the briefings had taken place.

She said: “We can confirm that officers have been liaising with both teams. Over the last few years, officers have met with players to brief them of their responsibilities and conduct.”

A spokeswoman for Rangers said: “The club facilitated a meeting between the players and the Divisional Commander earlier this week who reminded them of their responsibilities during matches as is normal practice for these fixtures.”

The Sunday Post asked Celtic for comment on the visit of Police Scotland officers and the warnings handed out to players and staff.

However, they failed to get back to us.