More arrests likely after Scottish Cup Final violence at Hampden

WATCH: Crowd trouble at final whistle as Hibs beat Rangers to win Scottish Cup

Just 11 arrests have been made following the match, which saw Hibs beat Rangers 3-2 to win the cup for the first time in 114 years, however officers expect more to come as their investigation continues.

READ MORE: What really happened when the Scottish Cup Final descended into mayhem

In scenes not seen in Scottish football for decades, Rangers players and backroom staff were allegedly assaulted by Hibs fans, who also goaded Rangers supporters, resulting in violent clashes between the two sides which had to be broken up by mounted police.

READ MORE: Derek Johnstone: Hibernian, the Police and the SFA should be ashamed after Hampden riots that brought back memories of 1980

Chief Superintendent Kenny MacDonald said the arrests were for "minor offences".

Hibs officials claimed the events after the final whistle were down to "114 years of exuberance" but confirmed it would work with the authorities to identify anyone who had tarnished the club's reputation.

Others quickly condemned what happened, claiming the final was a dark day for the country's football.

Scottish Conservative deputy leader Jackson Carlaw said: "The events after the final whistle at Hampden on Saturday ruined what should have been a day of celebration for the whole of Scottish football.

"While Hibs supporters will rightly wish to celebrate winning their first Scottish Cup in 114 years, that can be no excuse for the reported assaults on players and officials, nor the destruction of the fabric of our national stadium."

He added that the scenes "represent a significant setback" to the progress that has been made in Scottish Football since the 1980s.

RANGERS last night hit out at the SFA and Hibs, saying it was “incomprehensible” that no one from either organisation had condemned the Hibs supporters and called for a full independent investigation.

READ MORE: Rangers hit out at SFA, Hibernian, the Government and the media following Hampden riot

The club also criticised the First Minister, saying it was “not helpful” to see members of the government, including Nicola Sturgeon, passing comment “without any attempt to condemn the behaviour of Hibs fans.”

A statement issued at 6.30pm said: “We have not even had the courtesy of any contact whatsoever from Hibernian to ask after the wellbeing of those who were attacked by their club’s supporters.

“There must be a full independent investigation into the shameful scenes at Hampden. Rangers is also at a complete loss to understand why certain individuals have hastily attempted to gloss over the appalling events which unfolded at the end of Saturday’s final.

“No matter how many times Hibernian’s chairman and Scottish FA vice-chairman, Rod Petrie, and certain other biased commentators wish to play down Saturday’s mayhem and violence, the truth must not be distorted.”

The statement said it was clear that SFA security procedures had failed.

It went on: “It must also be said that it was not at all helpful to see leading members of the Scottish Government, including the First Minister whose parish is Govan, passing comment on social media without any attempt to condemn the behaviour of Hibernian’s fans. These failures are unbecoming of our elected representatives.”

Police Scotland have set up a special unit to investigate the pitch invasion and officers are trawling through CCTV footage to track down those responsible. The force is also appealing for anyone with images of disorder to come forward.

An investigation is also underway by the Scottish Football Association, who can impose a range of sanctions on the club, including fines or a ban on the Easter Road side from claiming its rightful place in Europe next season.

SFA chief executive Stewart Regan said the scenes were "appalling" and "one of the worst incidents of its kind I've seen."

READ MORE: Stewart Regan: I am shocked and appalled by Cup final rioters

He said: "It’s difficult to try and jump to conclusions about what could have been done. We had a full operational plan. We had over 1,000 police and stewards there.

“It’s embarrassing for Scottish football. It’s not what we want the Scottish Cup Final remembered for, not for the players or the management. I want to apologise to the Rangers board, to the Rangers players - and to the Hibs players as well, because the gloss has been taken off their achievement.

“We now have to review what’s happened. We need to identify what happened and work out if there are any areas of responsibility. If there is action to be taken, we’ll take that action."

Despite the events at Hampden, thousands of Hibs fans still got the chance to celebrate yesterday as the team paraded through Edinburgh in an open top bus.

Supporters lined the streets around the City Chambers, Princes Street and Leith Walk to get a glimpse of the cup and cheer on the players.