Supporters have been left in hospital after violent scenes which have unfolded outside football grounds both before and after matches in recent months

Football arouses passion among its followers - but the beautiful game can also end up being blighted by shocking moments of thuggery. One recent such case of football-linked violence resulted in a dad and son pleading guilty to scarring a St Johnstone fan for life after a match against Dundee.

Jamie Black had been enjoying drinks with his brother David after the Perth Saints had come from behind to win 2-1 at Dens Park.

Sean Collins, 57, and his son Liam, 31, attacked him at the Whites Bar, leaving him with a broken jaw, a fractured eye socket and a fractured and displaced kneecap.

They admitted causing severe injury, permanent disfigurement and permanent impairment. Mr Black needed an operation to have a knee brace put in place before undergoing further surgery to insert a facial implant. It resulted in 10 months off from his work.

Here's a look at other cases of violence linked to football that have unfolded this year in Scotland, as reported by the Daily Record.

Street fighting men

A bloke was taken to hospital after a brawl outside a Rangers pub in Glasgow. Emergency services were called to the scene near the Bristol Bar at around 3.20pm on Sunday, September 13.

People had gathered in the street and a fracas allegedly broke out after Rangers beat Celtic 3-0 earlier in the day. A man was reportedly seen lying on the road surrounded by multiple people.

One man was taken to hospital for treatment after being left injured. Inquiries into the incident are ongoing.

Bar ambush

A pair of thugs who helped ambush rival football supporters in a boozer ended up banned from attending games for two years in June 2025. Airdrieonians supporter Cameron Patey "got a buzz" out of causing trouble, Airdrie Sheriff Court heard.

Footage showed bottles being lobbed into a bar in the town in Lanarkshire where St Johnstone fans had gathered before a Scottish Cup match. A group of home fans confronted the rival side's supporters and a brawl spilled outside.

Bar manager Scott Rae, 47, later told the Record he was lucky to escape injury after being hit by a bottle as he tried to kick out the troublemakers. Patey, 22, alongside Ryan Lawrence, 29, and Nathan Dunsmore, 26, admitted causing a breach of the peace by fighting, shouting and swearing on January 20, 2024.

The court was told that Patey had a previous conviction while Lawrence also had football-related previous convictions. Both men were given a football banning order for two years.

Aberdeen and Rangers in 'disturbance'

Rival supporters clashed ahead of Aberdeen's Premiership match with Rangers at Pittodrie in January. Police had tried to keep both sets of supporters apart.

Around 50 Rangers fans, dressed in black with some wearing blue balaclavas, were filmed walking towards a police line blocking them from rival fans. Both sets of supporters rushed to the left of the officers and clashed, with punches thrown from either side and missiles thrown before police quickly regained control.

No one was arrested at the time and police said that there were no injuries reported. A spokesperson for the force said: "Ahead of the Aberdeen v Rangers game on Sunday, January 11, there was a disturbance involving football fans.

"No-one was injured. Extensive enquiries were carried out by officers. Should any new information be received, it will be investigated."

Masked thugs in 'unsavoury' scenes

Thugs wearing masks were involved in a fight described as "unsavoury events" in January. It took place outside Gayfield Park, Arbroath at around 9.45pm on January 23 after the match between Arbroath and Greenock Morton.

Footage shared online showed supporters wearing hoods and face coverings while swinging fists and throwing kicks. The fight was broken up by officers, stewards and fellow fans.

Arbroath FC condemned the incident which unfolded after the club had allowed youngsters under the age of 17 to attend the match free of charge. Greenock Morton criticised the behaviour too while both clubs committed to helping police with their inquiries.

Police have since confirmed that one teenager has been charged. A spokesperson said: "A teenage male was charged in connection with breach of the peace following disorder outside Gayfield Stadium in Arbroath on Friday, January 23. He was reported to the Youth Justice Assessor."

Celtic and Hearts clash

Celtic and Hearts supporters clashed in a scene of mass disorder outside Parkhead before the league match earlier this month. Metal barriers were raised as weapons while punches were thrown when the violence unfolded as a group of Hearts supporters headed along the road before kick-off.

In one video, a woman could be heard screaming as fights broke out. Fans fought running battles on a grass verge while ordinary punters looked on. Police Inquiries are ongoing into the violence which also included supporters hurling glass bottles towards one another.

After the full time whistle as well, further violence broke out as supporters left the ground. A police officer was allegedly assaulted and required hospital treatment. A 23-year-old man appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court on October 19 in connection with the incident.

Police Scotland said: "A 23 year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with an assault on a police officer following a disturbance on Springfield Road, Glasgow after the Celtic and Hearts match on Sunday, October 18. The officer was taken to hospital and released after treatment."