‘Football without fans is nothing’ – Ireland star Caitlin Hayes critical of Rangers ban on Celtic fans
Ireland international Caitlin Hayes is pictured after Celtic's clash with Rangers at Ibrox
Ireland international Caitlin Hayes has claimed that football was “let down” in the row which saw Celtic fans barred from the Scottish Women's Premier League Old Firm game at Ibrox.
The decision was taken over security concerns as Hayes criticised Rangers over their failure to host away supporters.
Rangers had initially sold tickets to Celtic fans for the Glasgow derby at Ibrox, a 1-1 draw, but then claimed to have received intelligence that “groups of ‘risk’ supporters” had gained tickets, prompting security concerns, according to Rangers who asked Celtic to cancel the tickets already sold, which the Parkhead club refused to do.
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Rangers, insisting that the game should go ahead without a police presence, then cancelled the tickets on the eve of the match, a decision which Celtic labelled as “hugely disappointing”.
Away fans have not attended Old Firm games in men’s football since the two clubs had a dispute over ticketing and safety arrangements at the start of last season and now the women’s game has suffered the same fate, a fact which Celtic player Hayes criticised.
"Football without fans is nothing, today women’s football in Scotland was let down,” Ireland defender Hayes said in a social media post, before she flew out to Florence to join the Ireland squad preparing for Friday’s friendly against Italy.
"In a week where the Emirates [Arsenal] was sold out and the growth of the game took an applause, the same could not be said 401 miles away.
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"You simply can’t advertise a fixture based on the opportunity to see representation on a 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 are denying opportunity for young girls in particular for young girls, in particular, to see what they can be, 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 on.
"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 building.”
