Police seize champions' champagne
Police seize champions' champagne
A football club has criticised police for confiscating champagne they were drinking to celebrate a title win.
The bottles were produced at Firs Park, Stirling, when East Fife moved to an unassailable 24 point lead at the top of the Scottish Third Division.
Directors were warned that having alcohol in glass containers was illegal in football grounds and they were told by the police to remove them.
Officers later raided dressing rooms where players were celebrating.
Celebration bubbly
East Fife director Dave Marshall told the BBC Scotland news website: "We took champagne with us on the bus but we didn't want to pre-empt the outcome so we left it on the bus.
"Towards the end of the game, one of the guys took it off the bus and put it in the dressing room.
"After the match, another of the guys brought the bottles out and began to celebrate Formula One style. One of the local bobbies took exception to it and said put it away or they would be arrested.
"They took it into the dressing room and the bobby followed them in."
According to directors, when players began celebrating after leaving the pitch, officers confiscated the bottles.
Chief Insp Audrey McLeod from Central Scotland Police said East Fife were warned about the law when an officer spotted the bottles being taken off the bus.
It states that glass containers are not permitted inside sporting grounds.
"During the subsequent celebrations the bottles were produced and champagne was sprayed over the fans who were gathered on the pitch.
"Officers again spoke to club officials, explaining the legislation again and highlighting the potential for glass bottles to present a health and safety issue, particularly with a number of families with children in the vicinity.
"Following a brief discussion the bottles were again removed."
Mr Marshall said: "Champagne bottles at championship celebrations seem to be welcome everywhere else.
"I don't know why they decided to do this."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/...st/7302390.stm
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