New Glasgow sports team will 'do better' after safety concerns

A new American Football team in Glasgow has said it will do better in the future after their first ever game was marred by criticism over player safety.

The Glasgow Tartans are part of the new International Arena League - an indoor eight on eight version of the sport.

They began with victory over England Eruptors on Sunday, but artificial turf was seen to frequently rise up as the game went on, while what appeared to be gym mats were taped to barriers around the pitch.

In a statement the club said "unique circumstances" had affected the fixture and player safety remained its priority.

It is understood turf the club intended to use for the game - held at the Braehead Arena venue that hosts the Glasgow Clan ice hockey team - had not arrived, meaning a replacement was brought in at short notice which did not have the usual markings on it.

Footage and images posted online show turf rising up after players ran across it, and staff members going on after plays to stamp it back down again.

Critics on the club's social media, including coaches with existing American Football teams in Scotland, said it posed a safety risk for players, who are on per game contracts.

Pete Laird, the head coach with the Edinburgh Napier Knights university team, wrote: "I love so many of the guys on this team, but they are risking their lives playing on an unsafe surface.

"Players deserve to be paid, but players also deserve to be safe."

Another post read: "It goes against coaching ethics letting people play on an unsafe surface."

The Tartans said referees, coaches and players had discussed the situation in advance and decided to go ahead with the game.

In a statement the Tartans said: "Player safety is our priority and we learned some valuable lessons. Due to the unique circumstances before the game started, there was meaningful consultation with the referees, coaches and players.

"Both teams made the decision to play with specific adjustments to the rules by the referees, including adding additional breaks in the action to adjust the turf as needed and the creation of a dead area at the back of the end zone.

"We must - and will - continue to do better throughout the season. We appreciate our fans and the community feedback."

The game had been scheduled for Saturday night with an 18:30 kick-off, but on Friday night the club announced it was moved to a 16:00 start on Sunday.

The Tartans are not to play another home game until 29 May.