UK NEWS

TARTAN ARMY LOCKED OUT OF WORLD CUP GAME

Scotland are on World Cup trail

Sunday September 7,2008

By Brendan Abbot

SCOTTISH football fans were locked out of the World Cup qualifier in Macedonia, it was reported yesterday.

It is understood police were called to the City Stadium in Skopje after up to 1,000 Scotland supporters were told their tickets were not valid.

The Macedonian Football Association refused to allow entry to Scots with tickets for the home end, fearing for the safety of fans.

Organisers had previously said that if they suspected fans entering the Macedonian section to be Scottish then they would not be allowed in.

Scotland lost 1-0 in the first qualifier of the campaign.

The British Ambassador intervened to organise supplies of water for the Scotland fans who managed to make it into the ground.

Fans had their water bottles confiscated as a security precaution but then found there were no refreshments inside.

At half-time, Andrew Key spoke to the president of the Macedonia Football Association, who ordered a van-load of water for the Scots.

A hose was also directed to allow the fans to cool off.

A spokesman for the British Embassy said that there had been no arrests and nobody taken to hospital.

Meanwhile, two fans were injured hours before the game got underway. Around midnight on Friday, the two supporters were hurt when a local man charged through a large group of fans.

British Consul Paul Clark said: “No one knows why, but a local Macedonian ran through a group of fans who were just leaving some bars.

“Two Scots fans were pushed over and hurt and one had to be treated in hospital for a cut to his head. Unfortunately, the Macedonian kept running so he could not be arrested.”