A RANGERS fan spat towards the segregation line after his team scored a goal during a Scottish League Cup semi-final.

Rangers took on Hibs at Hampden Park on November 21, 2021, with the match ending 3-1 to the Edinburgh side.

Calum Harper, 22, appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court last week after previously pleading guilty to spitting at police officer Nicole Gormley.

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Prosecutor Jennifer Sillars said: “The accused was seated next to the segregation line, which was being controlled by police officers and stewards.

“He had attended Hampden Park to watch the football match and was seated within the Rangers end.”

When Scott Arfield scored in the 40th minute, Harper spat in the direction of the segregation line, towards officer Gormley.

The prosecutor added: “This was witnessed by another two police officers. The spit did not make contact with the officer.

“The accused was removed from his seat, arrested, and cautioned and charged. He made no reply to caution and charge.”

Glasgow Times:

Sheriff Amel Elfallah was asked by the prosecutor to consider making Harper subject to a football banning order.

Ms Sillars added: “This is an incident which qualifies. It fits the criteria of violence and disorder.”

The sheriff replied: “Since the day of the offence, nothing has been put in place to stop him from attending football matches, he was simply ordained?”

This was confirmed to be the case by the Crown.

Harper’s lawyer described his client’s behaviour as “disgusting”.

He added: “It was fortunate that the spit did not land on the officer. As said in the social work report by Mr Harper himself, no one deserves to go to work and get spat at.

“He has no previous convictions and has no cases outstanding. He is in full-time employment.

“This incident took place on November 21, 2021, and he has been attending the football on a weekly basis since and there’s been no further incident.

“If you would be minded not to impose a football banning order, then he would continue to attend football in that manner.

“I told him this morning that you would be considering the banning order and he said that would destroy him. Going to the football is his life.”

Sheriff Elfallah told Harper: “A number of aspects of this offence make it particularly serious.

“Disorderly conduct at a football match poses the risk of more trouble and others getting involved. It involved spitting towards a police officer during the pandemic, which causes concern.

“I have taken into account that you’re still relatively young and you are in full-time employment.”

Harper, of Livingston, was ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work as a direct alternative to custody.

The sheriff did not order a football banning order to be imposed due to no further incidents since.