Fans held over alleged chants at Celtic Park

Four football fans have been arrested over alleged racial chanting at a match, police said.

The arrests follow Wednesday’s Celtic v Dunfermline game, where it is alleged a small group of Dunfermline supporters were making the comments towards the home fans at Celtic Park. The Glasgow team won the match 2-1.

The men, aged 22, 20 and two 19-year-olds, were arrested in Dunfermline yesterday. They are all expected to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Tuesday.

The arrests follow a joint investigation between officers from the newly formed Football Co-ordination Unit for Scotland, Strathclyde Police and Fife Constabulary.

Superintendent David Brand said: “This operation again demonstrates the close working partnership between the new national unit and Scottish forces to eradicate sectarian, racial or offensive songs at football matches across Scotland.

“It also sends a clear message to offenders that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated.”

He added: “We will continue working in close liaison with our colleagues across Scotland to crack down on those minority fans that are intent in engaging in this type of behaviour.”

Dunfermline’s safety officer, Kenny Arnott, said: “Dunfermline is a family friendly club and we welcome actions which will improve the experience for people attending football games.”

New regulations to crack down on “offensive or sectarian” singing at football matches is likely to be brought in next year after MSPs passed the raft of measures at Holyrood earlier this week.