Celtic and Rangers face Scottish Cup bans after Ibrox disorder
Both Glasgow clubs have been hit with rare sanctions, with the Scottish FA ordering closed-door home ties and six-figure payments after the scenes that followed last season’s Scottish Cup quarter-final at Ibrox.
The Scottish FA has ordered both Celtic and Rangers to play their next home Scottish Cup matches behind closed doors. Each club must also pay £100,000 to the side drawn against them in that fixture.
The sanctions stem from last season’s quarter-final at Ibrox and are likely to come into force when both clubs enter this season’s competition in January.
Either club could also face a second home match without supporters should there be another incident involving unacceptable supporter conduct at a Scottish Cup fixture.
What happened at Ibrox
Celtic progressed to last season’s semi-finals by beating Rangers on penalties at Ibrox after a goalless draw, winning the shootout 4-2. The aftermath overshadowed the result as supporters from both sides entered the pitch. Fireworks and other missiles were thrown, police officers were injured and a number of arrests were made.
Both clubs gave evidence to an independent judicial panel after being charged under Scottish FA disciplinary Rule 37, which covers unacceptable conduct at matches.
A tougher line from Hampden
An independent review led by Mark Blackbourne concluded that the incident came within a very small margin of becoming a violent mass confrontation. The report identified failings by both clubs and criticised the Scottish FA for not taking a tougher approach to crowd disorder.
In recent years, fines and, on occasion, reduced ticket allocations have been imposed for issues such as pyrotechnics. The severity of the latest sanction signals a shift in approach.
Where it leaves both clubs
Celtic said the club was shocked by what it considered a disproportionate punishment for a relatively small incursion at a moment of emotion and celebration. The club said it had not defended supporters entering the field of play and had repeatedly taken action when it occurred. Celtic also noted that it was not the home club responsible for stadium safety arrangements on the day and said it would study the panel’s report before deciding its next steps.
Rangers said they would consider the outcome in full, including its implications, before determining any further action.
In a separate development, Rangers said they will provide Celtic with 300 tickets for next month’s League Cup quarter-final at Ibrox. Celtic had been allocated 8,000 tickets for the 8 March Scottish Cup tie.
Mon The Hoops.
