Edinburgh Ultras Banned After Fan and Police Clashes in Perth 2026

Key Points

• Around 40 members of Hibernian’s Block Seven ultra group were turned away from McDiarmid Park during a Scottish Premiership match.
• Police Scotland arrested and charged a 17-year-old male for assaulting a police officer during the disturbance.
• St Johnstone Football Club began an internal investigation after home supporters raised concerns over the incident.
• Videos posted on social media showed rival fan groups fighting before police stepped in to break up the crowd.
• St Johnstone won the match 2-1, with Josh Fowler scoring two goals for the hosts and Nathan Lowe scoring for Hibernian.

Edinburgh (Edinburgh Daily) September 8, 2026 — A group of approximately 40 supporters belonging to the Hibernian ultra outfit Block Seven were denied entry to McDiarmid Park after engaging in violent altercations with rival fans and law enforcement officers. As reported by Edinburgh Live, Police Scotland confirmed that a 17-year-old male was arrested and subsequently charged with police assault during the pre-match disturbance. St Johnstone Football Club has officially opened a full review into the security protocols and circumstances surrounding the match, which ended in a 2-1 defeat for the visiting Edinburgh side.

Why Were Hibernian Ultras Refused Entry At McDiarmid Park?

As reported by Edinburgh Live, approximately 40 members associated with the Hibernian ultra group, known as Block Seven, were turned away at the turnstiles of McDiarmid Park following significant disorder outside the venue prior to kick-off.

Video footage shared across social media platforms depicted physical confrontations between rival sets of supporters in the perimeter area surrounding the stadium. Police officers deployed to the scene stepped in to quell the escalations as bystanders moved away from the chaotic scenes.

Following discussions between venue security, police commanders, and match officials, the decision was taken to block the identified group from taking their places inside the stadium.

What Has Police Scotland Stated Regarding Arrests Made?

In an official statement released regarding the disturbance outside the ground, a spokesperson for Police Scotland stated: “A 17-year-old male was arrested and charged in connection with police assault. He was released on an undertaking to appear at court at a later date”.

Law enforcement authorities confirmed that order was restored prior to the commencement of the fixture, though security presence was heightened throughout the remainder of the afternoon. Further investigations remain ongoing as authorities review CCTV footage and social media videos to ascertain whether additional individuals were involved in the disorder.

How Has St Johnstone Football Club Responded To The Incident?

In response to deep concerns raised by home fans regarding safety and stewarding at the stadium, St Johnstone Football Club issued a statement via their official website detailing their next steps.

As reported by Edinburgh Live, the official club statement from St Johnstone read: “St Johnstone Football Club is aware of the concerns raised from our supporters following the Hibs match on Sunday. The club is currently carrying out a full review of the circumstances. The club is undertaking internal discussions and investigating the matters raised to ensure that all relevant information is properly considered. We would ask for patience while this process is completed“.

The Perth club added that “further information will be made available once the club has concluded its investigation and is in a position to provide an update”.

What Occurred On The Pitch During The Scottish Premiership Match?

Despite the turbulent events unfolding outside McDiarmid Park, the match went ahead as scheduled before an audience of 5,793 spectators.

St Johnstone secured all three points with a 2-1 victory over Hibernian. Striker Josh Fowler scored twice for the hosts to lock in the win, while Hibs forward Nathan Lowe scored a first-half equaliser for the Easter Road side. The result provided a vital boost for St Johnstone while compounding a difficult away day for Hibernian.

Background of Football Fan Disorder and Ultra Culture in Scotland

The rise of organized “ultra” groups across Scottish football has transformed matchday atmospheres over the past decade, bringing vibrant visual displays, flags, and continuous chanting to terraces across the country. However, this growth has also been accompanied by heightened scrutiny from policing bodies and football governance authorities regarding fan conduct, pyrotechnic use, and public disorder.

Groups such as Hibernian’s Block Seven have frequently made headlines for their enthusiastic backing of their team, but matching incidents involving clashes with opposition supporters and police have drawn strict regulatory responses. In recent seasons, Scottish Premiership clubs have struggled to maintain a balance between encouraging active support and enforcing public safety standards.

In response to a broader national increase in football-related anti-social behaviour and pyrotechnic offences, the Scottish Government launched a formal public consultation on Football Banning Orders (FBOs). The legislative review aimed to modernise laws introduced under the Police, Public Order and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2006, assessing whether broader powers are required to restrict individuals convicted of matchday violence or public disturbance from attending fixtures nationwide.

Prediction: How This Development Could Impact Scottish Football Supporters and Security Legislation

This latest confrontation involving Hibernian’s Block Seven at McDiarmid Park is likely to trigger immediate structural and policy changes affecting matchday supporters, football clubs, and police authorities across Scotland.

• Stricter Access Controls for Traveling Fans: Visiting supporters attending Scottish Premiership fixtures can expect significantly heightened police presence, rigid turnstile checks, and mandatory identity verification policies. Clubs hosting high-profile matches may impose strict ticketing restrictions on recognised ultra groups or eliminate group ticket allocations altogether for away fixtures.
• Accelerated Legislative Action on Banning Orders: The high-profile nature of this clash will likely accelerate calls from law enforcement and parliamentary figures to implement tougher penalties under the Scottish Football Banning Order framework. Individual supporters involved in matchday disturbances face an increased likelihood of multi-year venue bans and travel restrictions.
• Financial and Operations Burden on Clubs: Football clubs will face growing pressure from Police Scotland and local licensing boards to fund additional private security and policing operations inside and outside stadiums, potentially leading to increased ticket costs for regular match-going fans.