Thug who punched steward at McDiarmid Park still not found

Police are still trying to trace a football thug who punched a steward at the St Johnstone versus Dundee United match in Perth.

The assault took place during Sunday’s Tayside derby when a section of the travelling Dundee United support were being moved away from one of the stands at McDiarmid Park.

The steward, who is from the Dundee area, is said to be recovering after being punched in the face.

A police spokesman said they are still trying to trace the assailant.

They are appealing for witnesses to the incident in the Ormond South Stand to come forward.

The assault happened at around 2.20pm and information can be passed on to police by calling 101.

One Dundee United fan who contacted The Courier said that while he condemned the assault, he felt that it could have been avoided if the 7,000-plus crowd had been managed differently.

The man, who preferred not to be named, said more fans than there were seats for had been directed to the south stand, necessitating the move of a group of fans.

He claimed that large parts of the ground were empty and the fans should have been redirected there much earlier.