Domestic violence surges after Old Firm games, police revealed yesterday.
A senior officer said reports of such abuse jumped by 88% following last Sunday’s cup final clash between Celtic and Rangers.
Assistant Chief Constable John Neilson, of Strathclyde Police, said the force arrested more than 550 people on the day of the match – all of whom were drunk.
Officers also had to contend with a rise in the number of attempted murders, assaults, and breaches of the peace.
Such incidents have peaked during the last three Old Firm showdowns, Mr Neilson revealed.
He said alcohol was fuelling the huge increase in violence following the games.
“This is the real picture of alcohol-fuelled violence when there is a game of football on – and there is absolutely no excuse for this level of violence,” he said.
“I want people to know this is happening across the whole of Strathclyde – and that something has to be done.”
Following the Co-operative Insurance Cup final at Hampden Park on Sunday, domestic violence rose by 88% to 231 cases.
There were also four attempted murders; 160 assaults and 118 breaches of the peace.
After the previous match on December 27, police received reports of 193 cases of domestic violence, 57% above the average of 123.
During the Old Firm game on Sunday, February 15, serious and violent crimes more than doubled.
And police were called out to 185 incidents of domestic abuse – a jump of 52% compared with weekends when a match is not being played.
Mr Neilson insisted it was not the fault of the football clubs, the players or the fans – but of those who drink all day and then go and look for trouble.
Rangers and Celtic both said they were working with police to try and put a stop to such behaviour.
SNP MSP Sandra White, who previously managed to obtain figures showing a jump in domestic violence after a vital Scotland v Italy match in 2007, branded yesterday’s revelations “shocking”.
“The latest figures from Strathclyde Police show the direct link between alcohol consumption, crime and cases of abuse,” the Glasgow MSP said.
“The 88% increase in cases of domestic violence is shocking and the fact everyone arrested was drunk shows the serious impact alcohol has on families across Scotland.”
And she urged: “We must tackle Scotland’s damaging addiction to alcohol. These figures show it will not just benefit our health, it will cut the cases of domestic abuse that blight many families lives.
“Increasing the price of supermarket booze and ending the deep discounting that sees a can of beer cheaper than a bottle of water will cut consumption and today’s figures show it could cut cases of abuse.”