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Ten alleged Ajax hooligans who ran riot in Glasgow before a Celtic match have dodged conviction in Holland – because Dutch prosecutors were not persuaded by evidence from Scots police.
Supporters and publicans were beaten senseless by visiting fans in attacks on Celtic bars in the east end of the city ahead of a Europa League match with the Amsterdam side in November 2015.
One bar owner who described the scenes as “violence on an industrial scale” hit out at the cops and Crown Office.
Billy Gold, the owner of the Hielan Jessie pub in the Gallowgate, said: “The Police and Crown Office have hardly covered themselves in glory.
“We were being told in the afternoon that hooligans were coming to us, yet, when they did, there were no police to be seen.
“As far as the Crown Office is concerned, jurisdiction should lie where the crime happened. That means they should have been tried here.”
The Crown Office gave up on prosecuting the rampaging gang in this country, passing the case to prosecutors in Amsterdam because they believed they had a greater chance of securing convictions.
When proceedings opened last week in Holland, the Dutch prosecutor said he was not convinced by evidence provided by Police Scotland officers.
No Scots officers travelled to Holland for the trial but three went to Amsterdam in January 2020 to present evidence to an examining magistrate.
But Dutch prosecutors said they did not provide “sufficient evidence” to support a conviction.
Scots police could not show to their satisfaction how they recognised ten of the suspects.
However, convictions have been sought against five individuals for “public violence against persons and goods” and they are expected to be sentenced at a further hearing in August.
Despite advance warnings the Ajax fans were coming to Scotland for trouble, up to 40 wearing masks and balaclavas were able to launch organised attacks on four pubs popular with Celtic fans.
Hoops Bar boss Neil O’Donnell, then 37, was battered senseless with a concrete garden slab.
His jaw was fractured in six places and a titanium plate had to be inserted with screws, which he will have for life.
He said: “I always thought this was being done for show with little prospect of convictions. I have no idea how any of these guys were identified by the police. I was assaulted but I could never have picked out anyone responsible.”
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Police Scotland said: “Following an extensive investigation into incidents from November 26, 2015, a report was passed to the Crown Office Procurator Fiscal Service.
“As this case is still ongoing, we can’t comment further.”
A Crown Office spokesman added: “The procurator fiscal at Glasgow received a report concerning a 23-year- old female and 14 males aged between 19 and 38 in connection with alleged incidents on November 26, 2015.
“After carefully considering the facts and circumstances and discussing with representatives from the Netherlands, Crown Counsel instructed that the matter be transferred there for Dutch prosecutors to take forward.”
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