Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™

LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE starting June 12 2026

Fan arrested for confronting Rangers captain Tavernier

The man tried to kicked the ball away as Tavernier went over to the touchline to take a throw-in before the pair were involved in a scuffle. The fan was led away by police.

Fan arrested for confronting Rangers captain Tavernier
(Reuters)

Hibernian chief executive Leeann Dempster told the BBC the 21-year-old supporter would be banned from Easter Road for life and that she would apologise personally to Tavernier.

"They've embarrassed this club tonight again, it's completely and utterly unacceptable," she said.

"What are we going to be talking about tomorrow? What is going to be on the back pages of the paper? What are you going to be asking me about? You're going to be asking me about this utter idiot."

The incident happened six days after Celtic's Scott Sinclair was almost hit by a glass bottle thrown from the crowd at Easter Road during the Glasgow club's Scottish Cup quarter-final win.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

"There is a big debate, a healthy debate going on in the Scottish game. But I'm going to bring it back to personal responsibility," added Dempster.

"Who thought it was okay to come in here with a glass bottle and throw it? Who thinks it's alright to jump over an advertising hoarding?

"Ninety-nine-point-nine percent of the people in here don't think it's okay and we ought to remember not to tarnish these guys as well.

"This individual will be banned for life. He's in custody at the minute and that's where he should remain as far as I'm concerned.

"This person and people like him are going to feel the full weight of what we, and hopefully Police Scotland, can deliver."

Hibernian manager Paul Heckingbottom said: "I should be here talking to you about how proud I am of the players and yet again I'm getting asked questions about fan misbehaviour.

"We need it to stop. It's sad I'm not here raving to you about how proud I am of the players. I have to speak about something else."

Steven Gerrard's Rangers trail SPL leaders Celtic by seven points having played a game more than their local rivals. Hibernian are in sixth place 17 points adrift of Rangers.

(Writing by Ken Ferris; Editing by Nick Mulvenney)


2 min read

Published

Source: Reuters


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world