Five Aberdeen fans are to stand trial accused of trying to fight rival supporters on their way to a Scottish Premiership match.
Anthony Steppie, Euan Stevenson, David Gowans, Kennedy Miskimmons and Scott Steppie all appeared at Dundee Sheriff Court today accused of football hooliganism offences around the Aberdeen v Dundee United clash at Tannadice on December 13 last year.
The five men all face a charge of engaging in behaviour likely to incite public disorder by forming part of a disorderly crowd and repeatedly attempted to engage in violence with rival fans.
The offences are alleged to have taken place in Dundee’s Main Street and Church Street.
Euan Stevenson faces a further charge of assaulting an unknown male by kicking him on the body in Church Street, while Scott Steppie faces a charge of assaulting an unknown male in Caldrum Street by punching him on the head.
Anthony Steppie, 49, of Birkhall Parade, Stevenson, 20, of Cairnfield Place, Gowans, 21, of Woodend Crescent, Miskimmons, 39, of Deer Road and Scott Steppie, 21, of Birkhall Parade, all Aberdeen, deny charges under the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications Act.
Sheriff Elizabeth Munro set a trial date in June and released the men on bail on the condition they do not attend any matches involving Aberdeen FC in the meantime.
The case comes after four Dundee men – Cameron Healy, Lemmy Milne, Alexander Middleton and Grant Fender – appeared at the city’s sheriff court facing charges of being part of a disorderly crowd on the same day.
Police launched dawn raids on those suspected to be involved in incidents around the match.
Although there was no disorder within Tannadice stadium itself, the fixture was marred by widespread reports of fighting and disorder.