Celtic receive outcome of Appellate Tribunal into Scottish Cup sanctions
Celtic’s punishment initially set at the initial hearing back in August, with the Scottish Cup holders being punished via playing the next home match in the Scottish Cup behind closed doors and with a commitment to pay the visiting side to Celtic £100k in compensation for the loss of revenue due to the forced absence of fans.
Celtic also argued that they had no input in the match day planning having been deliberately excluded by the home club and many of the issues that arose were due to the poor match planning by both the Rangers and Police Scotland.
However that seems to have fallen on deaf ears with the Appeal panel sticking to the Old Firm mantra of punishing both equally, despite the clear failing of the home club.
The however was partially upheld on a number of grounds with the threat of future stadium closures for Scottish Cup matches being removed and with it any other obligation to pay £100,000 to the visiting opponent.
And there was clarification that in the event that Celtic and the Rangers meet in the Scottish Cup when the fan ban has to be served, there will be NO obligation to pay the opposing side the £100,000. This point seems like common sense and it was a glaring error in the original findings.
Celtic will also receive £500 of their £1000 Appeal Deposit back.
Best thing for the club to now is accept that and move on.
Here’s the Appellate Tribunal Outcome as it relates to Celtic FC which was published on the Scottish FA’s website this afternoon…
Alleged Party in Breach: Celtic FC
Match: Rangers FC v Celtic FC on Sunday, 8 March 2026
Competition: The Scottish Cup
Offence: Disciplinary Rule 37 – A club playing a match at its own ground, or allowing its ground to be used for a match in which it is not participating, or a club using a third party’s ground for the playing of a match in which it is participating must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, (i) good order and security; (ii) that policies and procedures have been adopted and are implemented to prevent instances of Unacceptable Conduct; and (iii) that any instance of Unacceptable Conduct is effectively dealt with on the occasion of a match. Each club participating in a match must also ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, that its players, officials, supporters and any person exercising a function for or in connection with the club do not engage in Unacceptable Conduct at any ground on the occasion of a match. Each club must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that it identifies any of its supporters who engage in Unacceptable Conduct at a match take proportionate disciplinary measures in respect of such supporters.
Hearing Date: Thursday, 13 August 2026
Outcome: Admitted.
By unanimous decision, the Tribunal imposes the following sanctions under Rule 37:
– In terms of Sanction (g), Orders that the Club’s next home Scottish Cup match be played behind closed doors;
– In terms of Sanction (j), Orders that the Club make a compensatory payment of £100,000 to the away side drawn in respect of said next home Scottish Cup match, payment to be made within 30 days of completion of the match;
– In terms of Sanction (g), Orders on a suspended basis (active until the period ending at the conclusion of season 2027/28) that a further home Scottish Cup match for the Club be played behind closed doors, applicable only in the event of a further failure by the Club to ensure that its supporters do not engage in unacceptable conduct in respect of any Scottish Cup fixture during said period; and
In terms of Sanction (j), Orders on the same suspended basis (active until the period ending at the conclusion of season 2027/28) that the Club make a compensatory payment of £100,000 to the away side drawn in respect of said further home Scottish Cup match, payment to be made within 30 days of completion of the match, applicable only in the event of a further failure by the Club to ensure that its supporters do not engage in unacceptable conduct in respect of any Scottish Cup fixture during said period.
Appellate Tribunal Hearing date: Monday, 26 October 2026
Appellate Tribunal Outcome: Appeal Partially Upheld. The Appellate Tribunal affirm the order that the next home Scottish Cup match for Celtic FC be played behind closed doors, and set aside the suspended further stadium closure and the suspended further compensatory payment.
The Appellate Tribunal affirm the immediate compensatory payment of £100,000, payable within 30 days of completion of the match, but vary its terms under paragraphs 17.6.1(c), (e) and (i) to provide that no payment is due under that order if Rangers FC are the visiting club. For any other visiting club, the amount and deadline remain unchanged. The qualification does not affect the requirement to play the match behind closed doors. £500 of the £1000 Appeal Deposit to be returned to the Appellant.
