The Scottish Football Association has ordered Rangers and Celtic to play their next Scottish Cup home ties behind closed doors following severe fan violence during the Old Firm derby at Ibrox in March.
Both Glasgow clubs must also pay £100,000 to their respective opponents to cover the loss of gate revenue resulting from the full stadium closures.
The sanctions follow chaotic scenes at the end of last season's Scottish Cup match, when Celtic supporters spilled on to the pitch to celebrate winning a penalty shootout. Rangers fans subsequently ran on to retaliate, leading to clashes where missiles and flares were thrown, police officers and stewards were assaulted, and a ten-year-old child was hit by a coin.
The March 8 fixture marked the first time a full allocation of just over 8,000 tickets had been made available to visiting supporters, a setup Rangers had flagged to authorities over safety concerns. Police have made 37 arrests so far in connection with the disorder.
The rivalry between Rangers and Celtic, known as the Old Firm derby, is the central fixture of Scottish football. Following the violence, the Scottish Football Association commissioned an independent review to investigate the incident.
Independent review findings
The independent report, led by Mark Blackbourne, concluded that life-threatening violence had been possible during the pitch invasion and that a more serious catastrophe was only narrowly avoided. Blackbourne was also critical of Scottish football authorities for failing to issue meaningful punishments for club fan disorder in past years.
By ordering both clubs to play their next Scottish Cup ties in empty stadiums, the tribunal took an unprecedented step that effectively enforces a system of strict liability. Scottish clubs have consistently voted against strict liability rules in the past.
Celtic reacted swiftly to the ruling, stating they were shocked by what they described as a disproportionate punishment for a relatively small incursion by emotional supporters.
In an official statement, Celtic said: "We are shocked by this disproportionate punishment for a relatively small incursion by Celtic supporters at a moment of emotion and celebration. Our club has never defended supporters entering the field of play and we have repeatedly taken action when it occurs. However, we understand the part emotion plays in football and would have expected the context and distinction in behaviours to have been taken into account by the panel."
Celtic also pointed out that they were not the home club responsible for stadium safety during the tie. The club added: "Another important distinction is that, on this occasion, Celtic were not the home club, responsible for stadium safety arrangements. We will study the panel's report and reasoning when it is available and will thereafter consider our next steps."
Rangers ticket restrictions
Rangers responded later by acknowledging the sanction and announcing that visiting Celtic fans will receive only 300 tickets for the upcoming Premier Sports Cup fixture at Ibrox.
In an official statement, Rangers said: "Rangers can confirm that the away allocation for the forthcoming Premier Sports Cup fixture at Ibrox against Celtic will be 300 tickets. Since the clubs last considered away allocations, the Blackbourne Report has been published and our sanction issued. Together with the events of March 8 and our assessment of the current risk, these developments have informed our planning for this fixture. Matchday safety remains our top priority."
Rangers highlighted subsequent crowd incidents, stating: "Since March 8, there have also been further pitch invasions involving Celtic supporters. The Blackbourne Report demonstrated how quickly an initial incursion can escalate into wider disorder involving both sets of supporters. Preventing another pitch incursion is therefore an important part of reducing the risk of further disorder at this fixture."
The Ibrox club explained that discussions with Celtic had failed to resolve safety concerns following the recent cup draw. Rangers stated: "Following the recent cup draw, Rangers approached Celtic with proposals aimed at finding a sustainable way forward. Celtic responded eight days later, and that response did not address our concerns around accountability and deterrence. Rangers has not seen the clear acknowledgement, condemnation or deterrent messaging we believe should follow events of that seriousness from Celtic."
Rangers added that they remain willing to work with authorities but will take necessary steps to protect their stadium and supporters. The club concluded: "We are willing to work constructively with all stakeholders and authorities involved in matchday safety for these fixtures. However, the risks currently identified will only be reduced through greater accountability, effective deterrence and constructive joint working. We have previously raised concerns where risks identified by the club were not, in our view, given sufficient weight, including in relation to the increased away allocation for the 8 March fixture. Rangers will not be deterred from taking decisions it believes are necessary to protect our club, our stadium and our fans. Finally, we note the decision of the Scottish FA Tribunal published today and will now consider the outcome in full, including its implications, before determining any further steps."
