FOOTBALL RIOT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3208, 7 June 1909, Page 7

FOOTBALL RIOT.

I SCENES IN GLASGOW. MANY PERSONS INJURED The replayed fiftal . tie in the Scottish cup between the Celtic and the Glasgow Rangers, at Glasgow on Saturday, ended in disgraceful scenes, writes a London correspondent under date April 23rd. For the second successive Saturday the tie ended in a draw, and a widespread impression that the result had been prearranged created furious indignation among the crowd. It had been suggested by the clubs that in the event of another draw the match should be played to a finish. At the call of time both teams were equal in goals, and the 60,000 spectators expecting that the extra time would be played re"ffiained on the ground for the game to be resumed. This was not to be. and immediately it was seen that the groundsmen were pulling up the'corner flags the pent-up feeling's of the crowd burst out. the and field of play was invaded. They attacked the goal nets, which were torn to the ground, ( and then attention was, directed to the pavilion where the player- and committee were gathered. A strong cordon of police, however, was drawn up in front, and the ringleaders were driven back. Not to he baulked, the enraged spectators turned their attention to the terracing, which was torn up and thrown into piles. Extra police, mounted and foot, were telephoned for, but when it was seen that the mounted men numbered only five the rioters became more determined. A cry was made to pull down the barricading. This was being done with vigor, when the police were ordered to attack. Withdrawnbatons the constables assailed the crowd, with the' result that the field became like a miniature battlefield. Ambulance men soon had their hands itore than full, and medical men were seen with their coats off attending to the many broken The crowd fell on every policeman who happened to lag behind his fellows. Many bad scalp wounds fell to the lot of the constables, who in turn did not spare those who came within reach of their bato s. Bottles and everything to hand were thrown indiscriminately at the charging police. Ore band of the roughs set fire to the payboxes, which were soon a blaze. The fire brigade were called out, an tney in turn were attacked. The fira hose was cut in several places, and this made the work of the firemen futile. The firemen, who were very badly treated, threatened to retaliate with their fire-axes, but were prevented by their officers. Meantime motor ambulances were heard whistling in their hurry to the field, and quite a score of the worst injured, including a boy of six with c. fractured skull, were removed to the infirmary. By seven o'clock, or two hours after the conclusion of the match, the police had cleared the closure, but the force remained on guard in the field all night. The police were i so out-numbered that they deemed it judicious not to make any arrests. The players and committee were kept within the pavilion _for some hours, and when they left they were escorted by police. It is not thought that the association will permit the cup tie to be pkyed off. Two games have already drawn £3,400 in gate and stand money. ' Some of the police were found to have been stabbed, but for the most part the injuries were to the head. The stabs were all in the back. One constable had an artery in the leg severed. In all 17 policemen were among the 40 people injured.