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Old Firm
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===Incidents involving players=== Over the hundreds of matches played between the rivals, players and staff have been involved in many incidents beyond the usual bad tackles and red cards commonly associated with derby matches around the world; in the modern age of video footage, such incidents are more frequently observed, reviewed and scrutinised. [[Rangers F.C. 2β2 Celtic F.C. (1987)|In 1987, four players were charged]] by the police with [[breach of the peace]] for their conduct during a match at Ibrox and had to appear at court,<ref name=moments/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/scotland/1120033.stm|title=Old Firm old boys prove popular|work=BBC Sport|date=16 January 2001|access-date=29 October 2018|archive-date=7 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507140101/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/scotland/1120033.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wsc.co.uk/reviews/64-Players/3401-hard-as-nails|title=Review: Hard As Nails|work=[[When Saturday Comes]]|author=Archie MacGregor|date=1 April 2009|access-date=29 October 2018|archive-date=11 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180911191330/http://www.wsc.co.uk/reviews/64-Players/3401-hard-as-nails|url-status=live}}</ref> with two ([[Chris Woods]] and [[Terry Butcher]]) convicted and fined.<ref>{{cite news|last=McCallum|first=Andrew|title=Rangers players to appeal after fines|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wDhAAAAAIBAJ&pg=3174%2C4089346|access-date=6 April 2015|work=The Glasgow Herald|date=16 April 1988|page=1|archive-date=5 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211205161841/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wDhAAAAAIBAJ&pg=3174,4089346|url-status=live}}</ref> While warming up on the touchline at Celtic Park in January 1998, Rangers' [[Paul Gascoigne]] was caught on television reacting to verbal abuse from the stands by briefly miming the playing of a flute (representing "[[The Sash]]" and the typical repertoire of songs on an [[Orange walk]], considered an offensive gesture by Celtic's many supporters of an Irish Catholic background).<ref name=moments/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/44396.stm|title=SFA probes piper Gascoigne|work=[[BBC News]]|date=3 January 1998|access-date=29 October 2018|archive-date=5 March 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030305041529/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/44396.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=antics>{{cite web|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/news/gazza-ira-threatened-me-after-my-flute-band-antics-31295900.html|title=Gazza: IRA threatened me after my flute band antics|work=[[The Belfast Telegraph]]|date=12 June 2015|access-date=29 October 2018|archive-date=29 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029191636/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/news/gazza-ira-threatened-me-after-my-flute-band-antics-31295900.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Gascoigne, who had pleaded his ignorance of the situation after he made the same gesture in a friendly just after joining Rangers in 1995<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/gascoigne-on-song-but-still-plays-the-fool-1594113.html|title=Gascoigne on song but still plays the fool|work=[[The Independent]]|date=31 July 1995|access-date=29 October 2018|archive-date=29 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029153810/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/gascoigne-on-song-but-still-plays-the-fool-1594113.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and had been sent off on his last visit to Celtic six weeks earlier,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/33102.stm|title=Five-match ban for Gascoigne|work=[[BBC News]]|date=20 November 1997|access-date=29 October 2018|archive-date=5 November 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021105101644/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/33102.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> was fined for the provocative act<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/46264.stm|title=Gascoigne's flute reprimand|work=BBC Sport|date=10 January 1998|access-date=29 October 2018|archive-date=19 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819002344/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/46264.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> and left the club later that year. He has stated that he later received threats via telephone calls from persons purporting to be members of the [[Provisional Irish Republican Army|IRA]] over his behaviour.<ref name=antics/> In 2000, after being sent off during an Old Firm match, Rangers midfielder [[Barry Ferguson]] was involved in a violent brawl with Celtic fans at a hotel later in the same evening;<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/BARRY+WATCH+K.O.%3b+Reconstruction+of+what+really+went+on+at+the+Battle...-a064963416 |title=Barry Watch K.O.; Reconstruction of what really went on at the Battle of Bothwell Bridge |date=3 September 2000 |work=Sunday Mail |first=Charles |last=Lavery |via=The Free Library (Farlex) |access-date=29 October 2018 |archive-date=17 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017001754/https://www.thefreelibrary.com/BARRY+WATCH+K.O.%3b+Reconstruction+of+what+really+went+on+at+the+Battle...-a064963416 |url-status=live }}</ref> a year later, Ferguson (by now club captain) was sitting in the stand when he appeared to throw ice packs towards the Celtic dugout after Rangers conceded a late goal, however the referee missed the incident and no action was taken.<ref name=action>{{cite web |title=Football: Clubs must take action |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Football%3a+Clubs+must+take+action.-a078946600 |date=7 October 2001 |work=Sunday Mirror |first=Ray |last=Hepburn |via=The Free Library (Farlex) |access-date=29 October 2018 |archive-date=17 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017001728/https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Football%3a+Clubs+must+take+action.-a078946600 |url-status=live }}</ref> In that same match, a Celtic supporter was photographed making an 'aeroplane' gesture towards American Rangers player [[Claudio Reyna]] a few weeks after the [[September 11 attacks]].<ref name=action/> A 2004 match at Ibrox which "descended into even more mayhem and madness than usual" led to a police enquiry over the conduct of the players and staff.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/nov/22/match.rangers|title=Inquiry into Old Firm mayhem|work=[[The Guardian]]|author=Graham Clark|date=22 November 2004|access-date=29 October 2018|archive-date=29 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029152223/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/nov/22/match.rangers|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/4025379.stm|title=Rangers 2β0 Celtic|work=BBC Sport|date=20 November 2004|access-date=29 October 2018|archive-date=16 January 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060116180716/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/4025379.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> In February 2006, Celtic goalkeeper [[Artur Boruc]] was cautioned by the police for gestures he made to Rangers supporters during a match at Ibrox; six months later, it was clarified that this was for "Conduct which appears to incite disorder" rather than simply making the [[sign of the cross]] as he entered his area, as some had thought.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/5292656.stm|title=Player caution 'not for blessing'|work=BBC News|date=28 August 2006|access-date=29 October 2018|archive-date=23 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323164254/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/5292656.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> He also blessed himself in the fixture in December of that year, annoying Rangers fans who saw it as a provocative act, although the police stated that no offence had been committed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/celtic-keeper-makes-rangers-fans-cross-1-734722|title=Celtic keeper makes Rangers fans cross|work=The Scotsman|date=18 December 2006|access-date=29 October 2018|archive-date=29 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029152102/https://www.scotsman.com/news/celtic-keeper-makes-rangers-fans-cross-1-734722|url-status=live}}</ref> Boruc, who became known as the 'Holy Goalie' for his overt displays of his Catholic faith, escaped personal punishment in 2008 for displaying a t-shirt with the slogan "God bless the Pope" and an image of fellow Pole [[Pope John Paul II]] after an Old Firm win at Parkhead in April 2008, although Celtic faced scrutiny from FIFA as it was an unauthorised garment under their regulations on slogans.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/celtic-keeper-boruc-escapes-sfa-action-over-old-firm-pope-tshirt-7266598.html|title=Celtic keeper Boruc escapes SFA action over Old Firm Pope T-shirt|work=[[London Evening Standard]]|date=29 April 2008|access-date=29 October 2018|archive-date=29 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029201539/https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/celtic-keeper-boruc-escapes-sfa-action-over-old-firm-pope-tshirt-7266598.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2298874/Celtic-may-carry-can-for-Boruc-behaviour.html|title=Celtic may carry can for Boruc behaviour|work=The Daily Telegraph|author=Ewing Grahame|date=30 April 2008|access-date=29 October 2018|archive-date=29 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029191534/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2298874/Celtic-may-carry-can-for-Boruc-behaviour.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He was fined Β£500 and warned for (non-religious) gestures made towards Rangers fans in a defeat at the same venue in September of the same year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/sep/09/celtic.rangers|title=Boruc in trouble again over Old Firm 'gesture'|work=The Guardian|date=9 September 2008|access-date=29 October 2018|archive-date=29 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029152342/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/sep/09/celtic.rangers|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/sep/09/celtic.rangers|title=Boruc escapes with Β£500 fine for stirring up Rangers fans|work=The Guardian|author=Ben Rumsby|date=24 October 2008|access-date=29 October 2018|archive-date=29 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029152342/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/sep/09/celtic.rangers|url-status=live}}</ref> Prior to an international match between [[Northern Ireland national football team|Northern Ireland]] and [[Poland national football team|Poland]] in 2009, graffiti of a threatening nature mentioning Boruc appeared on walls in a Rangers-supporting area of Belfast.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/death-threat-to-celtic-star-boruc-before-world-cup-game-1655567.html|title=Death threat to Celtic star Boruc before World Cup game|work=The Independent|date=27 March 2009|access-date=29 October 2018|archive-date=29 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029191703/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/death-threat-to-celtic-star-boruc-before-world-cup-game-1655567.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In March 2011, an angry exchange took place on the touchline at Celtic Park between Celtic manager [[Neil Lennon]] and Rangers assistant coach [[Ally McCoist]], requiring police officers to separate them, at the end of a match in which three players had also been dismissed; again captured on live television footage, the incident resulted in both men being banned from the dugout for misconduct.<ref name=moments/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/mar/10/neil-lennon-ally-mccoist-sfa|title=Celtic's Neil Lennon and Ally McCoist of Rangers guilty of misconduct|work=The Guardian|author=Ewan Murray|date=10 March 2011|access-date=29 October 2018|archive-date=29 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029152356/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/mar/10/neil-lennon-ally-mccoist-sfa|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/scottish-premier/8374330/Neil-Lennon-and-Ally-McCoist-banned-over-touchline-confrontation-during-Celtics-win-over-Rangers.html|title=Neil Lennon and Ally McCoist banned over touchline confrontation during Celtic's win over Rangers|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|author=Roddy Forsyth|date=10 March 2011|access-date=29 October 2018|archive-date=29 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029191556/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/scottish-premier/8374330/Neil-Lennon-and-Ally-McCoist-banned-over-touchline-confrontation-during-Celtics-win-over-Rangers.html|url-status=live}}</ref> A 'crisis meeting' was convened involving the clubs, the Scottish Government and Strathclyde Police some days later regarding the trend of violence among supporters away from the pitch increasing on Old Firm matchdays and concerns that incidents during the matches was a factor.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/scottish-premier/8369897/Old-Firm-agree-six-point-plan-to-curb-derby-turmoil.html|title=Old Firm agree six-point plan to curb derby turmoil|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|author=Roddy Forsyth|date=8 March 2011|access-date=29 October 2018|archive-date=27 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527235247/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/scottish-premier/8369897/Old-Firm-agree-six-point-plan-to-curb-derby-turmoil.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The incident occurred during the tense environment of [[2010β11 in Scottish football|a season]] where seven Old Firm matches took place (including a [[2011 Scottish League Cup final|League Cup final]] and a [[2010β11 Scottish Premier League|fight for the title]] eventually won by Rangers by one point).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/scot_prem/9484609.stm|title=Kilmarnock 1 β 5 Rangers|work=BBC Sport|date=15 May 2011|access-date=29 October 2018|archive-date=30 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130830213206/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/scot_prem/9484609.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>
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