Scotland’s Euro 2025 qualifier with Israel at Hampden Park was delayed for simply over half-hour after a protestor chained themselves to a goalpost earlier than kick-off.
The incident passed off previous to the pre-match nationwide anthems the place a person appeared to have put the chain round his neck making eradicating it difficult for the police.
The person – who was carrying a ‘Pink Card for Israel’ shirt – was eliminated by police at 7.20pm, quarter-hour after the scheduled kick-off time.
Each units of gamers had returned to the altering rooms through the disruption, whereas protests continued exterior the stadium. The match kicked off at 7.35pm.
The match is being performed behind closed doorways after the stadium’s operations crew have been “alerted to the potential for planned disruptions to the match”.
UEFA had ordered the sport to go forward regardless of protestors anticipated to collect and name for Israel to be expelled from worldwide soccer amid the continued Israel-Hamas struggle.
Campaigners and charities together with Present Israel the Pink Card and Scottish Pals of Palestine held a protest exterior the stadium on Friday calling for a direct ceasefire.
Earlier than kick-off, the Israel gamers held up a ‘Deliver Them Dwelling’ shirt with an image of Israeli hostage Naama Levy on it after she was taken by Hamas on October 7.
Earlier this month the Scottish FA stated it made the choice to play with out followers following “extensive security consultations”, whereas police stated that plans have been in place to “maintain public safety and minimise any disruption to the community”.
The return fixture towards Israel has been moved to the BSC Stadium in Budapest, Hungary on June 4.
Scotland wish to take six factors from the 2 video games to spice up their play-off hopes with the crew degree on factors with group leaders Serbia in Group F.