HIBS and Rangers could be sued jointly for £800,000 over damage caused after the Scottish Cup final – despite being cleared of any blame last week.
Misconduct charges against the clubs were booted out by the SFA on Wednesday, which ruled neither could be held responsible for the pitch rampage by fans.
However, it can now be revealed lawyers acting for Glasgow City Council are considering raising a fresh action to cover the cost of the damage to snazzy digital LED advertising hoardings during the scenes of shame at Hampden in May.
The legal battle kicked off when solicitors acting on behalf of The Football Company Scotland, which owns the hoardings, started legal action against the council to cover the cost of the damage – using early 19th Century legislation.
But, City Chambers officials are said to be furious they face covering the cost of the trouble. It’s understood the local authority’s claim has not been lodged yet.
But a spokesman for the city council did confirm the body was “considering all of the legal options open to us in respect of the claim made by Football Company Scotland”.
It’s unlikely either club would be insured against such a claim, meaning any successful action by the city council could hit the teams hard.
A council insider said: “A number of people have already been prosecuted for what happened, and there’s clear footage all over the internet showing the vandalism being carried out.
“Taxpayers will be appalled they face having to cough up for the damage.
“Clearly the council will look at all its options, and going after the clubs is one of them.
“The SNP Government has already hinted heavily this week they could order the SFA to introduce a strict liability policy in which clubs are held responsible for their supporters’ behaviour.
“There’s clear disquiet at the use of 200-year-old legislation to sue the council.”
The Football Company Scotland is using the Riotous Assemblies (Scotland) Act 1822 to claim for £800,000 plus VAT from the council.
It says the victim of “any unlawful, riotous or tumultuous assembly of persons” can claim “full compensation for the loss or injury by summary action against the council”.
The Football Company Scotland confirmed to The Sunday Post it was seeking damages but provided no further comment.
The SFA had charged Hibernian with four misconduct charges, including demolition of the Hampden goals, while Rangers faced two vandalism charges.
The Edinburgh club revealed last week it had footed the bill for its fans’ wrecking spree, which resulted in turf being ripped up and the goalposts being damaged.
Details of the payout came as both clubs were cleared of any blame for the scenes that followed the final whistle.
Hibernian’s chief executive, Leeann Dempster, said she hoped the cash settlement would “bring an end to the matter”.
She added the SFA should now focus on putting in place recommendations made by an inquiry into the riot.
Rangers faced two charges of supporters smashing the LED advertising boards and pitch side holdings. But the SFA judicial panel ruled the side was in the clear as there was no provision for punishing them under current rules.
It said the complaint was “irrelevant” and sanctions could not be imposed as it was not signed up to UEFA’s strict liability code, which automatically hammers clubs for fans’ bad behaviour.
Neither Rangers nor Hibs were willing to comment regarding the threat of possible legal action from Glasgow City Council.
The end of season showpiece game descended into violence after Hibs beat Rangers 3-2 in the last minute to lift the cup for the first time in more than 100 years.
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Rangers angry at lack of SFA action over cup final pitch invasion
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