Football fan jailed after pitch incident
Glasgow Ranger’s fan has been jailed for a year after throwing a bottle at a Celtic physiotherapist during an Old Firm game, leaving him scarred for life.
Alan Crawford, 33, was also handed a five-year football banning order for the act of “mindless violence”, when he was sentenced at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Wednesday.
Rangers have issued a lifetime ban to Crawford after the club assisted police in their investigations and provided footage to help identify the individual.
Celtic physio, Daniel Friel, needed four stitches and was left with a scar after he was hit on the head by a bottle in the incident at Ibrox on April 3, last year.
When he appeared at the court earlier this month, Crawford, from Grangemouth, admitted throwing a bottle towards Mr Friel which struck his head “to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement.”
Sentencing Crawford on Wednesday, Sheriff, Tony Kelly, described it as an act of “reprehensible conduct.”
He said: “You assaulted the complainer by throwing a bottle which struck him on the head.”
The assault happened during a football match between Rangers and Celtic.
Defence agent, Harvie Diamond, said Crawford, a father, feels remorse for his actions and he had urged the sheriff to consider alternatives to custody.
Celtic won the game 2-1. —Sports Sk
