Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc has been cautioned for a breach of the peace by police for blessing himself in an Old Firm match at Ibrox in February.The Crown Office said the procurator fiscal had issued the caution as an alternative to prosecution.
A spokesman explained that Boruc's actions "included a combination of behaviour before a crowd in the charged atmosphere of an Old Firm match".
And that the Polish keeper's behaviour had "provoked alarm and crowd trouble".
The incident was said to have taken place at the start of the second half of the game on 12 February.
Police investigated the complaints and submitted a report to the procurator fiscal.
"It's a worrying and alarming development, especially since the sign of the cross is globally accepted as a gesture of religious reverence" Peter KearneyCatholic Church spokesman
The Crown Office said Boruc's behaviour had taken place before a crowd in the charged atmosphere of a match between Celtic and rivals Rangers.
As such it constituted a breach of the peace.
However, it is understood that as an alternative to prosecution, the Pole has been cautioned, leaving him with a criminal record.
The goalkeeper, who played during this year's World Cup in Germany, signed for Celtic from Legia Warsaw in July last year.
Peter Kearney, spokesman for the Catholic Church, said the move to caution Boruc was "regrettable".
He said: "It's a worrying and alarming development, especially since the sign of the cross is globally accepted as a gesture of religious reverence.
"It's also very common in international football and was commonplace throughout the World Cup.
"It is extremely regrettable that Scotland seems to have made itself one of the few countries in the world where this simply religious gesture is considered an offence."
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