Soccer: Scots move to end rivalry

Celtic's manager Neil Lennon. Photo / AP

A range of new measures designed to end the violence linked to one of sport's greatest rivalries were unveiled in Scotland yesterday, including the creation of a new football intelligence unit to stamp out sectarian threats to players and managers.

A meeting which included ministers, police and representatives of football teams Rangers and Celtic, known collectively as the Old Firm, also floated the idea of matches being rescheduled to limit the potential for trouble with stricter rules on alcohol consumption.

The summit follows last week's ill-tempered Old Firm cup clash in which three players were sent off and seven booked, and Celtic manager Neil Lennon and Rangers' assistant manager Ally McCoist angrily confronted each other on the touchline. Police made 34 arrests at the match and 187 across western Scotland, and recorded 40 reports of domestic violence.

The parties, which included Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell and his Rangers counterpart, Martin Bain, agreed an eight-point plan designed to end the sectarian violence which has dogged meetings for generations. In future, police could be sent into the dressing room each season and ahead of big games to remind players, management and staff of their legal responsibilities not to inflame tensions.

First Minister Alex Salmond said alcohol, which is responsible for many of Scotland's social problems, was at the root of much of the trouble.

- INDEPENDENT