Ross County blast ‘reprehensible’ conduct of group of Staggies supporters before and during Scottish Cup match against Livingston in Dingwall

Ross County have released a statement condemning the behaviour of a small section of their support before and during the match against Livingston last Saturday.

A minute’s silence for former Staggies man Gordon Seaton and Scottish legend Denis Law were disrupted by the group, who also set off pyrotechnics in the Jail End.

That led to some of the perpetrators being removed from the stadium, and others around them moving into different parts of the stadium.

County strongly condemned the group’s actions, posting on social media: “Ross County FC are appalled at a small section of supporters in the singing section of the Jail End at our home game on Saturday, January 18.

“The group showed utter disrespect during the minute’s silence for a former player and another national football icon.

“Their conduct was reprehensible and in addition to the jeering and inappropriate noise, several flares were ignited which was wholly dangerous, reckless and could have caused injury to those in the stand.

“Several youths were ejected and a retrospective police and club investigation is ongoing which may lead to prosecution and club bans.

“For the avoidance of any doubt, Ross County FC do not accept that there is a place for such unacceptable conduct at our club and anyone who has information, please contact the club as we work our way through the detailed CCTV footage and other video recordings to identify the perpetrators.”

It is illegal for anyone to be in possession of a pyrotechnic while entering or attending football matches in Scotland.

Both Celtic and Rangers have been given five-figure fines by UEFA for supporters’ use of flares in European competition, and at the tail end of 2024 the Scottish Government confirmed that a taskforce was considering extending the reach of football banning orders in a bid to combat a concerning increase in the illegal use of pyrotechnics at matches by supporters.

Adding to the woes of the off-field trouble was a disappointing result on the pitch, with Livingston’s 3-2 win after extra time making it six years without a win in the Scottish Cup for County.