David Martindale has issued a stark warning to Scottish football, insisting the sport must take control of out-of-control ultras before somebody is killed.
The Livingston sporting director believes a section of the ultra movement is nothing more than loosely disguised gang violence, posing a serious threat to the integrity of the game.
Martindale, who stepped down as Livingston manager in February, fears the growing disorder at stadiums across the country will drive away genuine supporters.
The 51-year-old says a growing sense of entitlement among a minority of fans was on full display during the pitch invasion that followed the title decider between Celtic and Hearts.
SPFL chiefs have launched investigations into those scenes as well as separate incidents involving Motherwell v Celtic, Hamilton v Clyde, Alloa v Stenhousemuir, and a League One match between Inverness and Hamilton.
The SPFL also confirmed it has engaged fully in the Scottish Government’s consultation on football banning orders and is awaiting the next steps in that process.
Martindale told Mail Sport: “Something has to change, there’s a problem in Scottish football with the ultras. I’ve seen some footage over the last year of stuff that’s happened at our stadium and other stadiums. It’s shocking. Somebody’s going to lose their life.”
He drew on personal experience to illustrate how the situation has changed, saying: “I think the ultra movement has got a place in football – but not in its current guise. Because all it is now is gang violence. I’ve been there by the way – I’ve been that wee guy in gangs when I was younger.”
Martindale pointed to a clear visual distinction between genuine ultras and those seeking trouble, noting that someone arriving with a flag and a club strip looks very different from those coming in wearing all-black hoodies.
Police are liaising with Hearts over the pitch invasion at Parkhead amid claims from the club that some of their players were assaulted during the incident.
An independent probe is also ongoing into trouble at March’s Scottish Cup tie at Ibrox, where Rangers fans confronted Celtic fans who had entered the field following their side’s penalty shootout victory, with a Celtic staff member allegedly assaulted in clashes involving stewards and police.
Martindale argued that the disorder flows from a broader culture of entitlement in the stands, where abuse directed at players, coaches, and match officials continues to worsen without meaningful consequences.
He said: “Fans feel entitled because they get away with it in the stands. You can turn up, abuse managers and players and it’s acceptable. So then they become entitled. And then they’re on social media. And then it grows again.”
The former manager expressed concern that the hostile atmosphere is actively damaging the sport’s ability to attract families, asking whether he would bring a young child to a football game given current conditions.
He added: “I think it’s going to drive away real football fans. And it makes your job harder. Can I really motivate a player when I’ve got 15 per cent of the fanbase telling him he’s sh*t all the time?”
Martindale also referenced what happened to Russell Martin earlier in the season, calling the scenes disgraceful and saying Scottish football should be ashamed of its failure to act.
He concluded: “See fans that are shouting constant abuse to players and managers, I think you just void them, cancel them and get them out.”
About the Author
