Politicians condemn brutal treatment of Hearts fans

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Police brutality towards Hearts fans has been condemned by two leading Edinburgh politicians.

David McLetchie said supporters had complained about the "intimidatory atmosphere" caused by Strathclyde Police force's heavy-handed policing at last Saturday's match against Celtic.

George Foulkes also claimed the force had treated fans like "animals" at previous fixtures, and criticised their attitude towards Hearts supporters as "prejudiced."

Mr McLetchie said: "I have had a number of complaints and I know the club has as well. I'd rather hoped that some of these issues about policing had been resolved.

"It's completely unsatisfactory. Fewer and fewer fans are going to Celtic Park to support Hearts because of what they perceive to be an intimidatory atmosphere."

His comments were backed up by fellow MSP Mr Foulkes, who said this was a long standing problem.

He said: "This isn't the first time this has happened. I think there's something that orientates the police in Glasgow against Hearts fans.

"People who are wearing maroon scarves get treated like animals and it's not acceptable."

Fans said police officers and stewards had acted in a heavy-handed fashion, ejecting supporters for standing up in their seats.

One supporter wrote on the online messageboard Jambos Kickback that supporters of the Edinburgh club were made to feel like "second-class citizens."

The supporter, who referred to himself as Andy68Hearts added: "Never ever have I been made to feel like that as a human being."

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