TWO people have been charged by police in connection with incidents during Dunfermline's game with Falkirk on Saturday.

Police Scotland also confirmed that "a number of people were ejected from the game for disorder-related offences" at East End Park.

Last night. the football club released a statement that said five supporters were set to receive banning orders following incidents during the match.

Pars chairman Ross McArthur confirmed that "five individuals in the home end" would today receive bans with "immediate effect" - ranging from five games until a full season - "as a result of their actions on Saturday".

Incidents raised included the throwing of coins and other objects onto the field of play, and a female volunteer being spat on by a supporter in the tunnel area at full-time.

Athletic were beaten by their bitter rivals after a controversial second half that saw Bairns midfielder Myles Hippolyte dupe referee Gavin Duncan into awarding a penalty to level the game, before the visitors won it following home defender Lewis Martin red carded.

Supporters voiced their approval throughout the second half and at the end of the game, with some gathering close to the tunnel to vent their frustration at the officials and opposing players.

But, in a lengthy statement posted on the club's website last night (Wednesday), McArthur said that he and other officials met with Police Scotland on Tuesday to "review the events that pook place in all of the four stands" and condemned the "small handful of supporters" who he said are "sullying the good name of our club, and our wider supporters".

It read: "On behalf of the board of DAFC, I am extremely disappointed that I need to release this statement regarding the conduct of a minority of supporters, hard on the heels of a previous notification I made in January about unacceptable conduct.

"As ever, I fully recognise that it is a very small handful of supporters who continue to misbehave, but their actions are once again sullying the good name of our club, and our wider supporters.

"Myself and other club officials met with Police Scotland yesterday to review the events that took place in all of the four stands on Saturday. The Match Commander not only strongly expressed his view but concisely outlined his concerns clearly to us, but he was reassured by the swift actions that we now intend to take to ensure our club responds appropriately and firmly.

"We have also been reminded that Police Scotland are happy to work with our club to ensure an appropriate risk based approach is taken to the deployment of police officers at future home matches. However, if the type of unacceptable conduct witnessed on Saturday continues, this may well result in less matches being police free in future, which creates unnecessary additional expenditure for our club, which in turn undermines the hard work of so many supporters who provide their time and support (financial or otherwise).

"There are other police investigations under way that I cannot comment on, which may result in further arrests and subsequent action. In addition, I will not be drawn on commenting on any events that took place on the field of play on Saturday as that is not how I like to conduct my business. Be rest assured though that, I and my fellow directors will always protect our clubs best interests, however we will use our judgement as to whether our thoughts or actions need to be put in the public domain.

"I always believe in transparency, so as a result of their actions on Saturday five individuals in the home end will tomorrow receive banning orders with immediate effect. These range from: a period of 5 matches. until Christmas. and for a full season. At least three of the supporters are repeat offenders, one of whom had a previous one year banning order.

"The offences included throwing coins and other objects on to the field of play (from the North West and Norrie Stands), as well as overly aggressive behaviour and failure to adhere to the ground regulations, or the instruction of stewards/Police. In addition, a female volunteer who assists our club was spat on, by one of our own supporters in the tunnel area after the match.

"This action was not only totally irresponsible but highly dangerous. Football is a passionate game, and emotions can run high (particularly taking into account the exceptional circumstances at the weekend) but there can be absolutely no excuse for some of the actions that took place, such as throwing any form of missile or overly aggressive behaviour. These actions will not be tolerated at East End Park. As highlighted previously, anyone who involves themselves in this type of behaviour will have serious consequences both for themselves and our club."

He continued: "It has been also now been determined that a season ticket holder provided his card to one of the offenders to gain entry to the stadium, who was subsequently arrested.

"I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank a number of supporters in the section of the North West Stand nearest the centre circle, who pointed out the individual who threw the coin from that area. Credit where credit is due, as it is important to acknowledge that it is only a minority of fans who believe they can misbehave or push the boundaries with our stewards/the police.

"Finally, we are entirely conscious that we don’t want a sanitised atmosphere at East End Park, and a vociferous and noisy home support can be our 12th man, we are purely asking for supporters to act within the scope of our ground regulations, and behave responsibly. Accordingly, in the next couple of weeks before season tickets go on sale we intend to review our arrangements in terms of allocated seating and ground regulations, whilst I also intend to meet up in person with a number of supporters to look at the possibility of creating a designated area of the stadium, such as the corner of the North West Stand, to allow a safer and more controlled section for singing. In addition, it is hoped that this should not prevent any other supporters from viewing the match, from other sections of the North West Stand, which is the case at present.

"As a club, we are trying to do our best for everyone, in a difficult situation, but at the same time we have to take our responsibilities very seriously, but we need ALL supporters to help us root out the minority who appear to want to deliberately cause damage to our club’s good name.

"However, to the huge majority of our fan base to whom this statement is not directed, can I thank you once again for your continued support."

Community Inspector Ian Flynn added: "We were disappointed by the behaviour of a minority of supporters at the Dunfermline Athletic vs Falkirk Match on Saturday 22nd April.

"A policing plan was put in place to help facilitate a safe event and I want to take this opportunity to thank the vast majority of fans for their co-operation.

"As a result of enquiries so far, two people have been charged and a number of people were ejected from the game for disorder-related offences.

"Enquiries continue and we’d urge anyone with information to contact Dunfermline Community Policing Team via 101.

"I have met with Dunfermline Athletic and I am supportive of the actions they will be taking as we go forward to ensure that fans are reminded of their responsibilities. 

"We recognise that Dunfermline Athletic is a very safety conscious club and we are committed to working with them in order to maintain the high standards of behaviour that the club expect.”

In the aftermath of Saturday's encounter, Hippolyte accepted a two-game ban from the SFA after being found guilty of an "act of simulation" while Falkirk manager Peter Houston accused Dunfermline of being "unprofessional" after comments made by keeper Sean Murdoch and skipper Andy Geggan in relation to his player.