Lorenzo Amoruso appeals for calm

The Dons are seeking legal advice on creating a by-law which would mirror a policy adopted at Sydney's ground.

Saturday's match at Pittodrie was held up by almost 20 minutes when crowd trouble flared after Aberdeen striker Robbie Winters was struck on the head by a coin.

Riot police had to ring the pitch before order was restored and the two teams could return to finish the match.

Grampian Police said it was reviewing its procedures at matches - while Aberdeen FC is looking again at how it stewards the crowds.

Police also said that a 26-year-old man had been charged in connection with an assault on a 70-year-old man during crowd trouble inside the ground.

A report has been submitted to the procurator fiscal in Aberdeen.

The Scottish Premier League (SPL) may also set up an independent commission to judge whether enough was done to prevent the violence.

Security plan

This would sit before the SPL considered whether or not to fine either club.

Given the history of animosity between the two sets of fans, the league double-checked before the game that a detailed security plan was in place.

Saturday's match saw police in riot gear on standby for a football match in Aberdeen for the first time.

Scottish Sports Minister Mike Watson - who was holding talks with football chiefs about the violence - said he was "disgusted" at the crowd trouble.

But he did not think it would harm Scotland's chances of staging the Euro 2008 championships as long as it remained an "isolated" incident.

Nobody likes to see fans banned from games, but it might be a very good temporary measure

John Stephen

Justice Minister Jim Wallace was also meeting Grampian's Chief Constable Andrew Brown on Monday to discuss the crowd trouble.

Police have appealed to television viewers to help identify troublemakers who forced the SPL match to be halted.

A team of about 20 detectives has begun studying CCTV, television and photographic images of the violence as part of their inquiry codenamed Operation Consul.

Grampian Police have also set up a hotline so that fans and members of the public can name those involved in the trouble.

The police have revealed that they are looking into the possibility that hooligans from south of the border were involved in the unrest.

Meanwhile, Aberdeen Football Supporters Club Trust chairman John Stephen has urged both clubs to take steps to improve relations between the two sets of fans.

Improved relationship

"There have to be discussions at the highest level," he said.

"But, that aside, I think both sets of fans need to examine how they approach these games and their behaviour.

"We need to move on and look for ways of improving the relationship.

"We've written to the clubs asking that away fans are banned from Pittodrie and from Ibrox in the short term.

"Nobody likes to see fans banned from games, but it might be a very good temporary measure."

You have to put it in the context of football disorder throughout Europe and it pales into insignificance

Martin Rose, Scottish Federation of Football Supporters Clubs

Martin Rose, from the Scottish Federation of Football Supporters Clubs, said the timing of the game did not help the situation as it gave supporters longer to drink.

"The 5.35pm fixture added to the problems," he said.

"There had already been reports of trouble in Aberdeen during the day and the police were obviously ready."

Mr Rose did not believe that the trouble would affect Scotland's hopes of hosting the 2008 European championships.

"You have to put it in the context of football disorder throughout Europe and it pales into insignificance.

"If you want to really be dramatic," he added, "Fifa is looking to host the World Cup in South Africa at some stage in the future and that's one of the most violent societies around at the moment."

Grampian Police's hotline number is 01224 386868.