A group of men alleged to have attacked Forfar Athletic goalkeeper Rab Douglas have been banned from the team’s games as they await trial.
But a sheriff today stopped short of imposing a Scotland-wide football ban on the group.
The charges relate to a match between the home side and Airdrie at Station Park on April 11.
Appearing at Forfar sheriff court, Ian Bear, Kenneth Murray, and Douglas Allsop entered not guilty pleas to charges relating to an on-pitch incident at the final whistle.
A fourth accused, Ryan Lawrence, had not been issued a citation but will appear with his co-accused at a trial in November.
But Sheriff Gregor Murray was content to restrict the motion to games involving Forfar, and the men were instructed not to approach Mr Douglas or attempt to enter Station Park.
Bear, 36, of George Street, Airdrie; Murray, 30, of Canal Place, Aberdeen; and Lawrence, 19, of West Drive, Airdrie; are alleged to have assaulted Douglas and breached the peace by running on to the pitch on April 11.
Prosecutors also state Lawrence’s alleged assault against Douglas was aggravated by religious prejudice, and that he also punched a steward in the chest.
Allsop, 40, of Albert Place, Airdrie, faces a single public disorder charge.
A trial has been fixed for November 24.
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