No trouble at police-free Scotland v Estonia game

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Wednesday's trouble free game at Aberdeen's Pittodrie stadium between Scotland and Estonia made history as the first modern international match in Scotland to go ahead without a police presence inside the ground, the Scotsman reported.

In May 2011, Pittodrie hosted the first Scottish Premier League match, pitting Aberdeen against St. Mirren, to be held without the presence of any on-duty police officers.

Chief Superintendent Adrian Watson, the Aberdeen City Division's police commander praised Tartan Army fans after confirming the friendly against Estonia had passed without incident.

"Scotland's fans have a history of good natured behaviour at football matches and the Tartan Army can quite rightly be proud of the fact that this game went ahead without the need for police officers inside the stadium," he said.

Watson added however that the police will not compromise on safety and each game is the subject of a rigorous risk assessment with partners.

David Brand, the Scottish Football Association's head of security and integrity, said that not only was this the first police-free international match in Scotland but it was also the biggest-attended game held without police presence.

Scotland, under new manager Gordon Strachan, won Wednesday's friendly 1-0.

The match was watched at the stadium by an audience of over 16,000, including about one hundred Estonian fans.

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