Motherwell ban fan after incident involving Rangers James Tavernier

Football’s season of shame was once again dragged into the gutter when referee Nick Walsh was forced to temporarily halt play during Gers’ 3-0 win near the end of the first half after both a cigarette lighter and a pie were aimed at the Ibrox skipper.

Tavernier dodged both but Walsh was filmed handing over the lighter to police before requesting officers and stewards surround a section housing Well’s ultras group in the East Stand.

Now club chiefs say they have been able to identify one of the culprits after studying CCTV footage and have reacted by issuing an “indefinite” ban.

The Steelmen say they are also continuing to investigate a second individual who they believe threw the other object and plan to issue another suspension order “as soon as possible”.

Motherwell chairman Jim McMahon said: “We condemn the irresponsible actions of two of our fans, whose moment of recklessness has cast an unfortunate shadow over our whole support.

“It gives us absolutely no pleasure or satisfaction to ban anyone from Fir Park.

“As a fan-owned and fan-run club, we have tried to campaign for the rights of supporters.

“We have been vocal in our opposition to any suggestion or notion of strict liability.

“However, with that comes a responsibility to act if any of our own step out of line, particularly if we have such clear and obvious evidence.”