Rangers Football Club slammed the “abhorrent” mocking of the disaster after Police confirmed they were investigating the clip, with inquiries currently ongoing.
A Celtic supporter has been sacked from his job after he was caught on film appearing to mock the Ibrox disaster during Sunday’s Old Firm derby. The appalling video of the fan, now identified as Darren Malloch, according to the Daily Record, went viral on social media.
The clip showed the man taunting the tragedy by displaying the numbers 66 on his phone screen. He then goes on to show the numbers with his fingers after putting his mobile phone away. The gesture was a distasteful nod to the 66 Rangers supporters who perished in the Ibrox tragedy 54 years ago, following an Old Firm match on January 2, 1971.
Malloch, who worked as a project manager for Advance Construction Scotland, has been sacked by the firm following the emergence of the disgraceful footage.
A spokesperson for Advance Construction said: “We can confirm that an individual has been dismissed from our employment, following an incident involving completely unacceptable behaviour at the recent Rangers v Celtic football match.
“As a company, we hold all employees to the highest standards of conduct, both inside and outside the workplace. In line with our disciplinary procedures, we will not tolerate or condone this behaviour. We believe that Police Scotland is also investigating this incident, and therefore, we are unable to make any further comment on the matter.”
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Rangers also condemned the mocking of the disaster, labelling it “abhorrent”. The club said that the tragedy, which took place in 1971, remains the darkest day in the club’s history.
Police have confirmed ongoing investigations into the vile video circulating online.
A spokesperson for the club remarked: “The Ibrox disaster remains the darkest day in our club’s history and continues to affect a number of families to this day. The mocking and celebration of any tragedy is abhorrent, and has no place in any football stadium or society as a whole.”
Disgusted fans across the board slammed the footage after it was posted on Twitter. One said: “Banter is one thing, but that’s not banter. That’s subhuman taking joy in others dying because they supported a team they hate.”
Calls were made by another fan for a firm response: “Life ban for this scumbag @CelticFC.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson provided an update, saying: “We are aware of the incident and enquiries are ongoing.”
The Old Firm adversaries walked away with a point each after their match at Ibrox ended in a 1-1 draw on Sunday. However, Rangers slammed their own fans for the “unacceptable” tifo display before the clash at Ibrox and the supporter who threw a bottle onto the pitch.
Ahead of the game, the Copland Road stand unfurled a huge banner with a famous photo of legendary Rangers boss Graeme Souness holding a double-barrelled shotgun in the direction of the Celtic fans with the words ‘take aim against the rebel scum’.
A Rangers spokesperson said: “Rangers Football Club condemns the actions of the individual who threw a bottle during today’s match.
“This behaviour has no place at our stadium. Steps have already been taken to identify the person responsible, and the club will take the strongest possible action once their identity is confirmed.
“We also acknowledge that the tifo displayed prior to kick-off crossed a line and was unacceptable. Our approach to supporter displays has always been built on trust, with the responsibility placed on groups to exercise good judgement.
“We will reflect on how these displays are managed and engage with supporter groups to ensure the right balance of trust, responsibility and oversight is maintained moving forward.
“Rangers is proud of its passionate fanbase, and we all share a duty to protect the standards and reputation of our club.”
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