Another key figure at Dundee United was accused of thuggery last night. Goalkeeper Alan Combe is under the spotlight amid claims he kicked a bottle into a crowd of rival fans after conceding a goal. An angry father who took his young son to Saturday's clash with Hibs in Dundee has lodged a complaint. The alleged incident comes after United chairman Jim McLean was forced to quit after punching BBC TV reporter John Barnes. Assault charges against him have now been dropped.

Yesterday, Campbell Duncan claimed that Combe drop-kicked his drinks bottle into the crowd moments after Hibernian scored the game's only goal. Hibs fan Campbell said: "He took a swig from the plastic bottle then dropped it and booted it towards a group of Hibs supporters. "The bottle hit the chair and the contents splashed over my eight-year-old son Declan. He could easily have been hit in the face by it." Campbell, 38, said: "A police officer saw him kick the bottle and there was no way Combe could claim he was just tapping it away with his foot. But the police did nothing and when I asked an officer what would happen if I threw the bottle back he said I would be arrested. "Kicking the bottle was way over the top and it was a very provocative thing to do. "And this was in the same week that a fan who threw a coin that hit referee Hugh Dallas was given three months.

"It seems there's one law for players and another for supporters." Campbell, of Carnoustie, said: "I e-mailed my complaint to the club. I'm waiting to see whether they reply but I suppose the high-handed attitude that Jim McLean brought to Tannadice will be a long time in dying out." l A 14-year-old boy died of gunshot wounds yesterday after Flamengo and Vasco fans clashed at the Maracana stadium in Rio, Brazil. " ©Daily Record