Each year anyone or any organisation hoping to host a major event in Glasgow has to work with the Safety Advisory Group (SAG).
The SAG addresses safety in sports grounds, including the four main football stadia within Glasgow.
This body comprises partners from Glasgow City Council’s Building Control and Public Safety and Licensing sections as well as Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue and the Scottish Ambulance Service.
The primary role of a SAG is to provide advice and guidance to a football club’s safety management team on accommodating spectators safely within their stadium. The body is a non-statutory body and does not have legal powers or responsibilities, and is not empowered to approve or prohibit events from taking place.
For the avoidance of doubt, it is the management team of any football stadium or sports stadium that has ultimate responsibility for the safety of their spectators.
Dealing with a SAG is a serious business; any misinformation, half-truths or falsehoods discovered following a serious safety issue at a venue could result in criminal charges.
My sources within Ibrox have left me with a growing sense of alarm over the interaction with the SAG, both in the initial process and subsequent events.
These are honourable people within Ibrox who believe that their dealing with this body has been far from the truth, even further from the whole truth and doesn’t come within a country mile of getting close to, ‘nothing but the truth.’
Indeed, such is their disquiet that these individuals hope beyond hope that some media outlet will raise the subject and allow them, for the first time in a long time, a full, or even a partial, nights sleep.
These are professionals who have concerns about the men, women and children who attend events at Ibrox, a stadium that has seen 93 people perish in two separate tragedies. A number of concerned staff are scared about what may happen if there is an incident in one of the three stands at Ibrox that are believed to be in perilous condition. It is their belief they would not be allowed a safety certificate if subjected to a rigorous and independent safety inspection.
I have been encouraged to be the conduit for their fears, and I will contact Glasgow City Council and the Scottish Government at Holyrood asking them to examine safety issues surrounding Ibrox and temper the deep held disquiet of some staff employed there. I will also send this article to all those authorities that make up the SAG.
I owe it to the people who have turned to me and outlined their fears.
Immediately after the game against Celtic on Hogmanay, give or take a few days to allow the content of the Loving Cup to get out of the system, it is the intention of the powers that be at Ibrox, to install netting below three stands to prevent supporters, both home and away supporters, from the possibility of being struck by debris from the unsafe roofs.
This is not a joke; this is not a made up imaginary second-hand yarn; it is not apocryphal. This ‘solution’ to the major remedial work that is needed has been conveyed to representatives of Glasgow City Council.
Naturally, enough Glasgow City Council has raised a number of issues with regard to Ibrox Stadium and, as yet, has received no substantive answers to their questions.
The queries vary from specific questions about bolts to more fundamental issues concerning the report submitted to the SAG from TRFC and compiled by a firm of leading consultant engineers. SAG want reassurance that they have seen the report in its entirety.
Is it possible that the report been presented to SAG with pages or sections missing?
My contact down Govan way tells me the issue of ground safety, and the letters from Glasgow City Council are being passed around like the parcel at a children’s party.
Interestingly, the Leader of Glasgow City Council, Frank McAveety received a letter from PR expert Jack Irvine raising issues about the safety status at Ibrox. Mr Irvine, who has guided Rangers leaders through many storms, also advises former Ranger football board directors Sandy and James Easdale.
One of the main questions to be asked of those running this football club is; if they need to put netting below the three stands on the opening weeks of 2017 was their submission to the SAG in 2016 the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth? Surely the deterioration to the fabric of the stands has not reached critical alarm levels in a matter of months?
I have asked the press office at Ibrox if they would care to answer that question and comment on the relevant questions raised below to help reassure that Ibrox Stadium is fit for purpose and all who attend the ground would be safe.
The other questions that have to be asked are:
Is netting going to protect supporters from a falling beam or guaranteed to prevent a falling nut or bolt hitting someone below?
What happens during the December matches, before the Heath Robinson style solution is installed?
What will protect the tens of thousands attending home fixtures in the event of an incident; perhaps an incident being brought on by adverse weather conditions like high winds or a heavy snowfall?
Can the Safety Advisory Group including departments from Glasgow City Council, Police Scotland, the fire and ambulance services, who are all aware of the concerns, allow this situation to continue without taking action?
Can the deafening silence from Ibrox to the questions posed by Glasgow City Council be allowed to continue without the authorities shouting from the rooftops that enough is enough?
Can Scotland’s Government at Holyrood allow this situation to be tolerated when the safety of its citizens are at risk?
Can the director of visiting football clubs scheduled to play at Ibrox allow their supporters to be put in jeopardy?
It is interesting to look at Directors’ Criminal Liability, which states:
“Where offence by corporation is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of, or to have been attributable to any neglect on the part of, any director, manager or similar officer, he shall be guilty of the offence.”
Perhaps it is this knowledge that is causing some at Ibrox to feel alarmed at becoming involved in this toxic game of pass the parcel with Glasgow City Council’s valid questions.
This is not a narrow, point-winning issue; this is not a debate about who has the best centre forward; this is not a debate about who will finish higher in the league or win a cup.
This could be a matter of life and death, although, one earnestly hopes, it never comes to that.
In December 2015 a game at Ibrox against Dumbarton was delayed while 740 Rangers fans were moved due to concerns over the stadium roof, many were shocked the game was allowed to continue. In January 2000 Celtic called off a game against Inverness Caledonian Thistle hours before kick-off because of storm damage to the roof. The then manager of ‘Caley’, Steve Paterson said:
“My players went out and had a look at it and we all agreed that if the game had not been called off we would have refused to play.”
In June of this year Dave King said:
“As unfortunate as it is true that Ibrox and its surrounding environs have been sadly neglected for many years.” He claimed that during the final years of David Murray’s reign at Ibrox the bank put club finances “under so much pressure” that stadium upkeep was, “relegated to essentials only”.
On the rare occasion where there is disagreement between the SAG and the event organiser, and there remains a genuine risk to the public, individual organisations on the SAG, such as the police may decide to act to resolve the issue. Decisions on these powers are matter for the local authority, in this case, Glasgow City Council, not the SAG.
Someone from Glasgow City Council, or if they won’t act, the Holyrood Government, has to have their voices heard loud and very, very clearly.
People’s lives could be at risk.
The question you should ask is whether the roof had been dealt with properly after the Dumbarton game so that no similar pieces had a chance of falling and if any other pieces fell from the roof after that match. If they say no then it’s a lie.
Tragic roof collapse in Nigeria.
http://news.sky.com/story/dozens-killed-and-wounded-after-church-roof-collapses-in-nigeria-10691880
Imagine this at a major sporting event?
Punters should vote with their feet and refuse to go.
Agree Celtic not bothered, I have my voucher for game via Celtic Pools (£49 quid FFS)
Hi Phil,
I was referencing Scopolamine on Wikipedia re.mention of The Devils Breath on a TV show,I found the following….
Devil’s Breath is derived from the flower of the “borrachero” shrub, common in the South American country of Colombia. The seeds, when powdered and extracted via a chemical process, contain a chemical similar to scopolamine called “burandanga”. Borrachero has been used for hundreds of years by native South Americans in spiritual rituals. The compound is said to lead to hallucinations, frightening images, and a lack of free will. Amnesia can occur, leaving the victim powerless to recall events or identify perpetrators.
Well,that’s the mystery of ra peepel solved;explaining why they are duped time and time again
They probably soak the season books in a solution containing scopolamine.
Well no-one else seems to have a viable ‘solution’ for their blind faith
HH ✅
The DCMS provide an indepth guide for the safety of sports stadiums which is quite comprehensive. I wonder if Sevco have a copy?
http://www.safetyatsportsgrounds.org.uk/sites/default/files/publications/green-guide.pdf
Time for people to contact their own Glasgow Councillor and raise these concerns.
How did that work out for you.
??
why would debris be more like to fall from January of 2017 onwards and not, let’s say, yesterday?
If there is the likelyhood of debris falling (and it already has) why isn’t the netting up now?
Hi Phil,
Having just read that tickets have already been issued by CFC for Hogmanay game at the crumbledome,I think that CFC should NOT issue anymore tickets until this safety issue has been resolved/addressed adequately.
To think of paying,these serial non-taxpayers,ANY money for tickets seems ludicrous.They cheapest are £49 each,it is the equivalent to getting onto a VERY dodgy high speed rollercoaster,without being firmly secured into the seat before launch.And being overcharged for the ‘privilege.’
I mean they are planning to put NETS up AFTER the visit of their elders and betters.This lot never cease to amaze.NETS.Will these nets be strong enough to hold the weight of his Glibnesss’ fabled warchest,NO,so what makes them think that they can handle the weight of a steel girder,or roof panelling,these items are heavy.I know through personal experience that ANYTHING falling from any height can have severe consequences.
I know that the fabled warchest IS mythical,therefore it IS immeasurable in size and weight.
Celtic FC can manage fine without their small cut of that gate,and surely they MUST put the safety of their clientele before profits.UNLIKE that lot.
Fantastic stuff,you’ll make the bench soon,and am getting those keys copied,just in case….HH
Phil, As a union member you will be aware of the role of the Health & Safety rep. Is there a union member within the Ibrox workplace who could raise this ? How about the NUJ, as they represent members who will be visiting the place as there place of work?
I am a regular follower and supporter could you do me a favour and explain the following report in the National.
http://www.thenational.scot/news/14904022.Ibrox_issued_with_safety_certificate_after_roof_confusion/
Shake hands in the appropriate manner,and you’d be amazed what that small insignificant,
barely noticeable action does for your Felllow Brethern.And they,in turn,will be willing to oblige you in every way they possibly can.
Funny that,well,for me,it is certainly is NOT.
Your fellow Brethern will do almost anything to help save the sevcostriches,and in my opinion that includes issuing certificates when they shouldn’t be.
Well they do have form…..
Thanks Phil.
Would the safety certificate be valid if and only if the good condition of the roof is maintained?
Great work Phil, fair and balanced.
Unfortunately because of whom the messenger is the followers of the team that play in blue will turn a deaf ear, i really hope Celtic refuse their allocation for the hogmanay game, especially after this warning.
Great article Phil,
People’s lives and safety are without doubt thee most important thing at any sporting event.
Somehow,that very fact has been set aside,or put on the back-burner,by the Iblox board,is well, it has been too long,however long it has been.NEGLECTFUL.
Thanks for keeping us updated Phil.
Celtic should be concerned as We play there in a matter of weeks.
It wouldn’t make for A Happy New Year for anyone,if there is an accident,or worse,a fatality.HH
Outstanding work and again shaming the Scottish media who know fine well there potentially is a major story and set of exposures here for them to feast on ☹️
That said I hope it is not too obvious who the sources are here for their own sake !
When you think about he historical background that you refer to if there is one group of people who should never ever expose their fans again it has to be the custodians at Ibrox . It is unconscionable behaviour if they are operating anything other than in super health and safety mode by the letter of the law
As posted before I would love to see the Risk register of TRFC and RIFC and the associated contingent liability assessments shared with Campbell Dallas as part of the review closing the recent accounts
Campbell Dallas and Paul Murray CA would have insisted on that review and would have covered this subject .Wouldn’t they ???? I think your rugger pal knows the answer to that question .
How many other unexploded devices like this , FPP , the MA legal case ,Bartons settlement etc are lurking at Ibrox?
The state of Ibrox has been known for some time now, it is incredible that a blogger all be it a highly respected one has been asked to get the information available to be taken seriously. Shame on the spineless SMSM for not highlighting this matter, obviously not upsetting The Rangers FC is more important than the safety of supporters.
THERE IS NO RANGERS!!sorry for the caps!! But pisses me if when someone says that word when its deid!!
‘….. the authorities shouting from the rooftops ……’
If it as bad as you say Phil there’s one rooftop they won’t be shouting from
Given the number of people needed to be compliant in this matter, it has potential to be considered a conspiracy in criminal terms – bumping up the sanctions considerably. For what it is worth, I’m sure you will be notifying:
• Scottish Football Association
• Scottish Professional Football League
• Football Safety Officers’ Association Scotland
SCOTTISH FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION CLUB LICENSING MANUAL 2017
Section 5, Ground Criteria, page 25 of 160
Formatting is too complex to allow pasting here but text includes phrases such as:
Ground shall be designated under the Safety of Sports Ground Act (1975). The local authority on an annual basis shall review the certificate. or Ground shall have a certificate in accordance with the Fire Safety and Safety of Places of Sports Act (1987). The appropriate body on an annual basis shall review the certificate.
http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/resources/documents/ClubLicensing/2015/Scottish-FA-Club-Licensing-Manual-2017.pdf
The Rules of the Scottish Professional Football League
Page 64 of 192
Ground Safety, Behaviour at Matches and Damage to Stadia
H22 All Clubs must have a valid and current safety certificate for its Registered Ground prior to the start of each Season and must maintain such certificate in full force and effect for the duration of each Season.
H23 Each Club shall, unless a copy shall previously been provided, provide a copy of its safety certificate to the Secretary not less than one month prior to the start of each Season or as soon as available and shall thereafter provide to the Secretary a copy of any replacement, renewed, extended or amended certificate within one month of same being issued.
H24 All Clubs shall appoint a Safety Officer who shall be or become a member of the Football Safety Officers’ Association (Scotland)
http://spfl.co.uk/docs/067_324__therulesofthespfl_1375800603.pdf
Football Safety Officers’ Association Scotland
Safety Confirmation
Once gain, in terms of a condition contained in their respective Safety Certificates, it is incumbent upon both Rangers and Celtic Football Clubs to provide the Police Commander, 3 hours before the kick-off, with a written assurance that spectators may be safely admitted to, and remain within, the ground for the duration of the match.
The Stadium Manager, because of the specialist skills required to give this assurance, will normally sign this document on behalf of the Club.
http://www.footballsafety.com/safety_safetyconfirmation.cfm
Send these questions to the HSE also Phil
Hi Phil
Celtic don’t seem to have any concerns as I have uplifted our supporters clubs allocation of tickets for the hogmany game .
Safety and well being is paramount Phil, well said!