Leigh Griffiths has been charged by police over an incident during Dundee’s Premier Sports Cup defeat by St Johnstone. The Dundee striker kicked a smoke bomb back into the stand housing the away supporters after it had been thrown on to the Dens Park pitch.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Police Scotland can confirm that a 31-year-old man has been charged in relation to culpable and reckless conduct, following an incident at Dens Park, Dundee, on Wednesday 22 September. A report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.”
Griffiths, who is on loan to Dundee from Celtic, apologised for the incident on Thursday and stated his intention had been “just to remove it from the pitch”. He stated he had only meant to kick the pyrotechnic off the pitch during his team’s 2-0 quarter-final defeat.
Video footage taken by a supporter and posted on social media shows Griffiths kicking the blue smoke bomb off the pitch and high into the stand.
Quick GuideJota hits first Celtic goal in win over Raith Rovers
Show
Jota scored his first Celtic goal as Ange Postecoglou's side moved into the Scottish League Cup semi-finals following a straightforward 3-0 win over 10-man Raith Rovers.
The Portuguese wide player finished well for the opener and produced the strike that allowed Liel Abada to net on the rebound. David Turnbull notched his sixth goal of the season before Dario Zanatta was sent off just before the hour mark.
Celtic comfortably saw out the game against the Championship side without ever threatening to move up the gears. PA Media
Dundee issued a statement over the “regrettable incident” which read: “Following the opening goal a smoke generator, amongst other items, was thrown onto the park by the visiting supporters. This pyrotechnic ended up back in the stand as Leigh kicked it to remove it from the field of play.”
Griffiths added: “It was regrettable that the pyrotechnic ended up back in the stand as my intention was just to remove it from the pitch. Having just lost a goal I was eager to get the match restarted as quickly as possible and I would like to apologise for any distress caused by this action.”
Griffiths could face disciplinary action from the Scottish Football Association over the incident but the police charge could delay that process.
The 31-year-old returned to Dundee on loan on transfer deadline day after failing to get into new Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou’s team.