A Celtic fan has been handed a two-year football banning order after “recklessly” passing a lit green smoke grenade to a child during a high-profile Old Firm clash at Celtic Park.
Darren Higgins, a 34-year-old father-of-two, appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Tuesday, September 29, where he pleaded guilty to charges related to the incident, which occurred during Celtic’s emphatic 3-0 victory over Rangers on September 1, 2024.
Court papers detailed the dangerous nature of the defendant’s actions, stating that Higgins “did, with a complete indifference to the consequences, culpably and recklessly have in possession a lit pyrotechnic emitting green smoke.” According to the charge, he handed the hazardous device to a juvenile to hold aloft in the crowded stands before reclaiming the item while it was still active. Prosecutors emphasized that his actions posed a significant danger to the public—referred to in legal terms as the “lieges”—who were in his immediate vicinity at the time.
During the proceedings, the court was informed that Higgins has voluntarily abstained from attending football matches in the two years since the incident took place. Despite this period of self-imposed exile, the Sheriff presiding over the case made it clear that the severity of the offense necessitated formal disciplinary action.
Addressing the defendant, Sheriff Reid expressed stern disapproval of the conduct, telling him: “You cannot behave like this.”
The use of pyrotechnics inside football stadiums has become an increasing concern for authorities across the United Kingdom, with governing bodies and police forces repeatedly warning of the severe physical risks they pose to fans, particularly children and those with respiratory issues. Smoke grenades, while visually striking to some supporters, can reach extreme temperatures and produce toxic fumes, making the act of passing such a device to a minor a significant public safety violation.
In addition to the two-year football banning order, which prohibits Higgins from attending any regulated football matches across the UK, he was issued a £400 fine and ordered to pay a £40 victim surcharge.
The verdict serves as a stark warning to supporters regarding the legal and personal consequences of bringing pyrotechnic devices into stadiums. As authorities continue to crack down on the presence of flares and smoke bombs at Scottish Premiership fixtures, the sentencing of Higgins highlights the courts’ commitment to ensuring that match-day environments remain safe for all attendees, regardless of the intensity of the rivalry or the result on the pitch.
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