Ireland defender Caitlin Hayes has slammed the decision to ban Celtic fans from their derby away to Rangers yesterday, calling out a “false intent to grow the game” by the home side at the Old Firm match.
Rangers had in fact sold away tickets to the fixture at the Ibrox Stadium only to cancel that allocation at short notice due to security concerns and what they referred to in a statement as “suggested groups of ‘risk’ supporters.”
In a post on social media, Hayes criticised the decision.
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“Football without fans is nothing…Today women's football in Scotland was let down,” the Ireland centre back said.
“Whatever the circumstances may be, don't host if you can't accommodate, plan and fund, accordingly. It's the reputation of the game that gets damaged. A reputation we are ALL collectively building," she continues.
“In a weekend where the Emirates was sold out and the growth of the game took an applause, the same could not be said 401 miles away.
"You simply can't advertise a fixture based upon the opportunity to see representation on a stage, with the false intent to grow the game, when the same opportunity isn't there for the opposition.
"Take colours away and you're denying opportunity for young girls, in particular, to see what they can be, if they dream that dream. That dream isn't exclusive to the colours you wear but inclusive to all, just like the foundations women's football was built upon.”
Ultimately, the match itself finished 1-1 (thanks to strikes from Mia McAulay and Natasha Flint), meaning Rangers retain their four-point lead at the top of the Scottish Women's Premier League.
In an official statement, Celtic as a club also expressed their discontentment with the situation.
“At a time when so many are working so hard to promote and support the women's game in Scotland, the decision to deny access to so many fans is hugely disappointing, even more so given that there were a number of options available to the home club to allow our fans to safely attend in a stadium of such capacity and given the expected crowd,” they said.
