An Airdrie FC fan who made a Nazi salute and punched a stranger at a football match has been banned from attending games for four years. Lewis Baillie, 22, was found guilty of the offensive behaviour that occurred at Firhill Stadium in Glasgow’s Maryhill on January 22, 2022. During a match against Partick Thistle, Baillie not only made the Nazi salute but also assaulted an unidentified man after the game. The incident took place during a Scottish Cup match where the home team, Partick Thistle, emerged victorious with a 1-0 win despite being reduced to 10 men.
Baillie appeared in Glasgow Sheriff Court where he admitted to disorderly conduct and breaching the peace. Former SFA compliance officer, now Sheriff Vincent Lunny, ordered Baillie to complete 162 hours of community service as an alternative to serving time in custody. Sheriff Lunny condemned Baillie’s actions, calling them appalling and disgraceful, especially considering the potential presence of families and children at the football match. He highlighted the seriousness of the incident and the impact it had on other spectators who were simply there to enjoy the game.
The court heard that a couple, Paul Cairney and his wife, witnessed Baillie assaulting the man and later identified him from an image showing him making the Nazi salute. This image was passed on to Airdrieonians FC and subsequently reported to the police. Baillie was arrested following this identification and has since expressed remorse for his actions. His defence lawyer, Martin Hughes, acknowledged the gravity of the situation and stated that Baillie had distanced himself from the unsavoury elements he had associated with during the match.
In addition to the community service, Baillie was also handed a four-year ban from attending football matches. Prosecutor Julianna Keenan described the post-match scene as a large-scale disturbance and detailed how Baillie swiftly fled the scene after the assault. The court proceedings revealed that Baillie’s conduct was unacceptable and resulted in significant consequences for him. The repercussions of his actions serve as a reminder of the importance of respectful and lawful behaviour both on and off the field in sporting events.