Balaclava-clad Edinburgh City ultras spark terrifying rammy at pre-season friendly

Edinburgh City ultras sparked a mass rammy at a pre-season friendly with Broxburn FC and forced the game to be shut down.

The match between the recently promoted Broxburn side and League 2 team Edinburgh City was suspended after the first half at Albyn Park in Broxburn on July 3 following police advice.

Dozens of men dressed black and wearing balaclavas reportedly took over the away end while lighting flares and chanting.

Footage from the game shows the seating area fully emerged in thick clouds of red and white smoke from the pyrotechnics.

Another clip shows the group in the stands while what appears to be Broxburn Athletic fans sit on the grass in a bid to stay away from the trouble.

The group of more than 20 held up a huge Edinburgh City FC banners, with one that read Ultras in white font with a black background.

Police were called after the disturbance broke out in the first half and advised the game to be shut down, shortly after the crowds dispersed.

There have not been any arrests so far.

Many took to social media following news the game had been suspended with concerns about the behaviour as young children had also been attending the match.

Some even suggested that the clubs may need to employ stewards at matches to keep fans safe in future.

One witness said: "A group of about 25 youths from Edinburgh got off the bus at 7pm headed straight for the ground via Church Street."

Another added: "I have been part of this club now for nearly a year. I want to take this time to congratulate the club volunteers.

"We were in the Broxburn dugout at the other end. I was looking through my phone and was nudged to tell me it was all kicking off."

One person said: "It's a bloody ridiculous carry-on at a friendly game. My two grandsons were there. They said the Edinburgh guys had masks over their mouths and were running around until the police came."

A spokesperson at Broxburn Athletic FC declined to comment until an internal investigation had taken place.

Edinburgh City FC has also been approached for comment.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 7.45pm on Wednesday, 3 July, 2024, we were made aware of youths causing a disturbance at Albyn Park, Broxburn."

They added: “Officers attended and following discussions, the game was abandoned and the crowd dispersed.”

Earlier this year the Record reported that fans face banning orders if they are caught using pyrotechnics in stadiums under a clampdown being considered by the Scottish Government and football authorities.

The use of flares and smoke bombs has rocketed in recent years, despite repeated warnings against their use by clubs and police.

It is already illegal to carry fireworks or flares into football matches after legislation passed last year but many fans believe more needs to be done.

Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.