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Beattie on Scotland: Uefa need to act on Ajax aggression

The authorities must ensure that future visitors to Amsterdam don¹t suffer the same fate as Hoops fans last week, writes Douglas Beattie

Celtic were all too flat during their defeat at the Amsterdam Arena, but the lasting memory of the trip to face Ajax will be centred around the violence their supporters encountered in the city centre.

Much has been said about this but still we have reason to avoid rushing to judgement until trials of six fans are completed later this month and a fuller picture emerges.

There are, however, a few things we do know about this black night in the Champions League. Spool back a few weeks and there were significant elements among the Ajax support that came to Glasgow looking for trouble and repeated the trick on home soil.

For evidence of this look no further than the "Fenian Bastards" banner displayed inside the stadium — yes, really — and the vicious attack by over a hundred hooded thugs on a bar full of Celtic fans.

It should have been no surprise that such tactics were in evidence, for Ajax have been fined already this year by Uefa for an "inappropriate and provocative" anti-Sheikh banner which "created unrest" against Manchester City.

In recent seasons there have been serious problems with opposing fans in Europe while difficulties with a number of Dutch clubs are a matter of historical record.

Certainly the roots of the problems Celtic encountered are deep. At Ajax the notorious F-Side gang goes back as far as the mid-1970s. They have survived to the present day along with their complex mix of Jewish and far-right ideology.

As someone who could write a long love letter to this city as a frequent visitor going back over almost 30 years, this has been a painful episode. The Amsterdam I know is a model of tolerance and cultural significance.

I also have fond memories of Ajax as a homely club housed in the tiny old De Meer stadium. There generous officials once ushered three teenage Scottish holidaymakers off the pitch with handshakes and handfuls of match programmes from seasons gone by.

Sadly that is not what those caught up in the recent violence will think of from now on. The game's authorities must act at once to stop others facing similar treatment in Amsterdam both from local neds and heavy-handed police all too keen to bloody their hands.

We know that Celtic fans have developed a gold-standard reputation for their conduct abroad — think no further than the shining example of Seville.

Still the truth is that any away trip in Europe still carries a risk because to a greater or lesser extent it is a voyage into the unknown. What this episode shows, above all, is that they must gang warily and can never rest on their laurels.

Remembrance Sunday apology from Scottish clubs is a sign of the times

A modest proposal — football clubs themselves must each do as they see fit in marking any social, political, cultural or religious occasion.

It's hard to argue otherwise, but when it comes to Remembrance Sunday, poppies and the rest, things get a little trickier these days.

Both Ross County and St Johnstone have apologised for the absence of a minute's silence before their Scottish Premiership matches last Saturday. The Perth side said there had simply been "an oversight" and County¹s argument was on similar lines.

They should have expected stick because, rightly or wrongly, football has always been a vehicle for the military going right back to WWI.

At that time there was a concerted attempt to get the working classes to swap the terraces for the hell of the trenches.

This was nowhere more so than at Heart of Midlothian where immense pressure was exerted on the first team to sign up as an example to others. Sixteen players did so and seven of those young lads did not return home. Hearts make much of this and solemnly mark their loss each year.

That is their right certainly but if others do not wish to follow suit then so be it. Feelings run high on such matters but I would caution that in a country which already has a deep political culture embedded in its football (in various quarters) we should be wary of adding yet more layers.

McCormack's men do Scotland proud

"No-one gave us a chance," said Scotland¹s rugby league coach on reaching the quarter-final of the World Cup.

Hands up, a week ago I was among those who doubted Steve McCormack¹s side would get a sniff of the latter stages.

So hats off to them for topping Group C on the back of two fine wins — the latest over the United States — and a high-scoring draw with Italy.

With the Azzurri then losing out to Tonga the Scots unexpectedly advanced to the last eight for the first time and next face the daunting prospect of the reigning champions New Zealand at Headingley on Friday.

McCormack is clear on the monumental task ahead but remains wonderfully upbeat, saying: "We have had a go at every single team and had a dig. We will do the same against New Zealand."

I for one will not seek to contradict him for he has what every coach desires in a squad — momentum allied to belief. The Bravehearts may not be finished yet.

 

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