[HerefordBull]

23/05/2016 : This statement by Fraser Wishart of the Scottish Professional Footballers' Association gets to the root of the problem that pitch invasions create. The field of play is a workplace, subject to the normal rules of health and safety at work.
How many folks reading this would be happy to have someone invade their place of work and assault them ?

PFA Scotland Statement on Scottish Cup Final

The problem is Larry it is becoming the norm at the end of many important games outside the Premiership.........I have watched the play offs in England over the last week and nearly everyone has ended in a pitch invasion by the home winning side. Fortunately, better security has meant there has been no confrontation /violence, just a bit of goading. If it is allowed to happen then these rules get pushed on the back burner. 

eg: Millwall fans ran on at the end of their game against Bradford, rushed to their players, goaded and jostled the Bradford players and then ran down the far end to taunt the Bradford fans.......which there was no way the two factions could meet.......all put down to exuberance and excitement of the occasion. Look at the end of the Stranraer v Ayr game......fans were all over the pitch at the final whistle. I'm not saying it is right just that it happens at high excitement times.


It is correct what is said in the statement , it is a workplace but the only way to enforce it is to increase the security.Many firms and workplaces provide security when there is a danger of violence towards their employees. The authorities will have to look at each game and when there is a high risk then a suitable police presence has to be put in place. With all the grief Hibs fans have been through from the press and every other football clubs fans in Scotland about the 114 years etc which is an annual thing plus all the other disappointments they have been through over the last 9 or 10 years what did they think the reaction might be?..........Unfortunately for them with the winner coming so late they had no chance to react to a build up of fans at pitch side but it should still have been a scenario they should have considered and at least have got a line of officers across the halfway line to stop the idiots from rushing off towards your fans.