A FOOTBALL fan has been banned from attending any match following an incident in Glasgow’s Hampden during a semi-final game.

Jamie McCrindle, from Edinburgh, travelled to the Southside stadium to watch the Rangers vs Hibs game as part of the Scottish League Cup on November 21 last year.

The 36-year-old appeared for sentencing at Glasgow Sheriff Court this month after being arrested due to his behaviour towards cops.

The prosecutor said: “Police were on duty near the men’s toilets at half-time. The accused went into the toilets and after several minutes, an unknown supporter flagged down police and said they should take a look within the toilets.

“Police entered and observed the accused in a cubicle, standing on the toilet bowl and swinging the toilet door in an aggressive manner whilst singing football songs.

“Other supporters were singing, and the area was extremely crowded, but he was the only one banging doors.

“He was asked to stop. He left and officers outside asked the accused to remain with them in order to ascertain whether there was any damage. The area was extremely busy.

“The accused immediately became aggressive towards officers. He shouted loudly ‘am I f**k being arrested’. When he was informed he was not being arrested, he replied ‘I’m f****g being arrested for banging a door’.”

The court heard that due to McCrindle shouting, a large crowd gathered. He continued to shout that he was being arrested.

Glasgow Times:

After being asked to provide his details, he lunged toward a cop and shouted “f*****g arrest me then”.

He was warned regarding his behaviour but lunged again and shouted, “you better f****g jail me now”.

McCrindle was arrested and charged and made no reply.

His defence solicitor said: “His football team were winning, and everyone was singing. He joined in and described banging along to the song with the toilet door.

“There wasn’t any damage to the door, but the police told him to wait, and he didn’t really know what was going on.

“He thought he was being arrested. He did feel as though he did nothing wrong. He was then arrested for his conduct towards police officers.

“He’s in full-time employment as a delivery driver and has worked all his life. He is not a gentleman who goes to the football and causes trouble.”

After Sheriff Jonathan Guy mentioned a football banning order, the lawyer said it would not be appropriate as he was arrested for his behaviour towards police officers.

But the sheriff disagreed. He fined McCrindle £176 and made him subject to a football banning order for eight months.

Sheriff Guy told him: “Your behaviour on that day was entirely unacceptable and could have led to further disorderly behaviour. It was committed within football grounds.”