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 yesterday.
They were accused of football hooliganism offences around the Dundee United versus Aberdeen match at Tannadice on December 13.
The five men all faced 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 been committed in Dundee’s Main Street and Church Street.
Euan Stevenson faced a further charge of assaulting an unknown male by kicking him on the body in Church Street, while Scott Steppie faced 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, denied the charges under the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications Act.
Sheriff Alistair Carmichael set a trial date in August and released the men on bail on the condition they do not attend any matches involving Aberdeen FC in the meantime.
Police launched dawn raids on those suspected of being involved in hooliganism on the day the match.
There was no disorder inside Tannadice Stadium itself.