“People also go to extraordinary lengths” – Safety Authority makes stunning pyro ‘mules’ claim

The Scottish League Cup final was, in some people’s opinion, a brilliant show of colour and atmosphere by the Celtic fans.

Part of that is down to the fans use of pyrotechnics within the stadium.

For now, they are banned for use inside any sports stadia in Scotland but that didn’t stop the Green Brigade (and the Union Bears) from taking them into the stadium and setting them of pre, during and post match.

There have been various instances where the fireworks generate an incredible spectacle but there are also fans that believe that they are also dangerous as a fire hazard and that they could affect people with breathing difficulties.

But looking at the size of the displays, just how are the fans getting them past stadium security.

Ken Scott, the head of inspectorate at the Sports Ground Safety Authority made this incredible claim on how fans are managing to slip them in via The Herald, “The chances of them detecting all of the pyrotechnics being brought in is very slim.

“People also go to extraordinary lengths to get pyrotechnics in to matches. They have hidden them inside baguettes.

“They often put them inside the hood of a child’s jacket because they know not many grounds search children. They use kids as mules to get these things in.

“If you put them down the front of your trousers nobody is going to search you there for obvious reasons.

“If people are determined to get them in then they can do it.

“I think people have to be educated about the risks of pyrotechnics.

“If they still insist on using them then, sorry, but they have to feel the full force of the law.”

Baguettes? Child mules? Down the front of trousers?

Come on!

I have been to football and even trying to get a bottle of cola past the turnstiles is hard enough never mind huge smoke bombs.

What this has done, though, is open the debate to allow crowd safe pyro into stadiums to allow fans to add to the atmospheres within ground as they do in the Bundesliga 2 [DW.com]

It’s time to have open and honest conversations about this and instead of villifying and excommunicating the fans, include them in sensible conversations because when used effectively, pyro can make the atmosphere inside grounds spectacular.

I will be leaving Vital Celtic at the end of the month but will continue to cover club news in another capacity. More details later.

If you know your history: Martin O’Neill