Two men involved in a mass fight between Dundee United and Aberdeen supporters have been banned from attending matches for a year.
Euan Stevenson, 20, and Scott Steppie, 21, both of Aberdeen, admitted a charge of inciting public disorder.
The incident took place on December 13 last year at the junction of Main Street and Church Street, as fans made their way to Tannadice to watch a match between Dundee United and Aberdeen.
Fiscal dispute John Adams told the court police received information that 65 suspected Aberdeen ‘risk’ football supporters had arrived in the city by train at 11am, including Stevenson and Steppie.
The fiscal said: “At 2pm the group was monitored on CCTV as they made their way to Tannadice.
“As the group approached Main Street, members of it were seen to pull scarves and masks down over their faces in an attempt to conceal their identity. Scott Steppie made his way to the front of the group with another male and ran towards the Snug Bar, and others followed behind them. As they approached the Snug Bar, Dundee United fans exited and confronted Aberdeen fans.
“A serious disturbance then took place on Church Street between fans of both sides.
“They were seen kicking and punching each other, with glasses being thrown by unidentified others.” About 20 police officers, including the mounted branch and dog handlers, got involved.
The fiscal continued: “Police managed to separate fans, resulting in a stand-off. Aggressive behaviour continued for some time with members of both groups shouting and gesticulating towards each other.
“Scott Steppie was seen on CCTV to approach a male and punch him on the head.”
Both admitted conducting themselves in a disorderly manner likely to incite public disorder by forming part of a disorderly group and fighting with rival fans whilst on a journey to watch a football match on December 13 last year.
Steppie also admitted a second charge of assaulting an unidentified male by punching him on the head.
Sheriff Ferguson said: “It’s absolutely shocking we still see incidents like this at football matches in 2014 when, at one point, we thought it was a thing of the past.”
Both Stevenson and Steppie were banned from all regulated football matches in the UK for one year.
Stevenson was also fined £750 and Steppie was fined £690.
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