The former Scotland international has been fined a total of £17,000 as he pled guilty to a charge of culpable and reckless behaviour. The incident took place during a match between Dundee and St. Johnstone on 22 September 2021, during which Griffiths played for Dundee on loan from Celtic. 

Griffiths’ conduct stemmed from a St. Johnstone goal scored around 9:10pm, after which two flares were thrown onto the pitch. 

Fiscal Depute Lora Apostolova informed the court that Griffiths: “ran from about 40 yards away towards the area where the smoke bombs landed and kicked one towards the stand where the St Johnstone fans were.”

No one was injured in the incident, however Griffiths admitted hitting a spectator with the pyrotechnic device.

Larry Flynn, defending, explained that the footballer was frustrated by the brief suspension of game play to allow the clean-up efforts to remove the flares from the pitch. 

Griffiths apologised for his conduct prior to the police investigation, stating “it is regrettable it ended up in the stand. My intention was to move it from the pitch. Having just lost a goal I was eager to get the match re-started as quick as possible and I would like to apologise for the distress caused by my actions.”

Mr Flynn also emphasised the need to settle the matter in order for Griffiths to satisfy the visa conditions to complete his move to Australia. 

Sheriff Way in sentencing said a financial penalty was most necessary and that had it not been for Griffith’s early guilty plea, he would have imposed a £1,500 fine. 

Sheriff Way stated “I am prepared to accept this was reckless. He is trying to make a life for himself in Australia.”

The footballer was fined £15,000, two weeks wages, by Celtic, fined £1,000 by loan club Dundee, and a further £1,000 fine at Dundee Sheriff Court.