The Scottish Football Association has formally charged both Rangers and Celtic following the chaotic scenes that erupted after their Scottish Cup quarter‑final at Ibrox. In a joint notice of complaint, the SFA cited breaches of Rule 37, which governs "good order and security" and condemns "unacceptable conduct" by clubs and their supporters. The rule obliges clubs to have robust policies and procedures in place and to take appropriate steps to identify and manage fans who engage in violent or disruptive behaviour. Both clubs are scheduled to appear before a disciplinary panel on 13 August.
The incident unfolded on 8 March when Celtic secured victory in a penalty shoot‑out. As soon as the winning spot‑kick was taken, a wave of Celtic supporters surged onto the pitch to celebrate.
Within moments, over a hundred Rangers fans from the home end charged onto the field, hurling fireworks back and forth. The melee quickly escalated, resulting in at least 37 arrests and injuries to police officers and stewards. The clash was notable not only for its intensity but also because it marked the first time in years that the away allocation for an Old Firm match was restored to 8,042 tickets – the highest number of visiting fans at a derby since 2018.
Prior to this, away numbers had been capped at between 2,000 and 2,500 after a two‑year period during which no away supporters were permitted at the fixture. An independent review led by Mark Blackbourne was published alongside the SFA's charges. The report described the sequence of events in stark terms.
It noted that "Celtic Ultras were the first to enter the pitch in jubilation, with others following their lead," whereas the Rangers supporters, identified as the "Union Bears," entered the track in a "reactionary, confrontational, and overtly threatening" manner. The proximity of both groups to the playing surface, the review argued, dramatically increased the risk of a mass incursion and accelerated the breakdown of order. The review also documented specific acts of violence. A flare was thrown six times between the two factions, striking a security operative from Rangers and a CCTV operator.
A masked Rangers fan, believed to belong to an Ultra group, confronted the club's Stand Manager, delivering a blow to the face that resulted in a serious ear injury requiring ongoing treatment. The report highlighted that a post‑match meeting of Glasgow City Council's Special Safety Advisory Group recorded that seasoned Police Scotland officers described themselves as "petrified" at the prospect of policing another match at Ibrox – a comment the author called "deeply disturbing" and a call for urgent attention from all bodies responsible for safety at major Scottish football events. Interviewees in the review likened the organisational traits of certain Ultra groups to those of organised crime syndicates, urging that incidents involving such factions be met with harsher sanctions from the clubs involved.
Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell praised the thoroughness of Blackbourne's review, stating that the SFA would consider all recommendations and work with the SPFL, clubs, Police Scotland, and the Scottish Government to prevent a repeat of the disorder that tarnished the sport's reputation. Rangers responded by disputing several findings, particularly the "limited examination" of the decision to allocate roughly 8,000 tickets to Celtic – a move they argued fundamentally altered the risk profile of the match.
The club criticised the review for not scrutinising the Scottish FA's actions as rigorously as those of the clubs and other organisations, calling this an "omission". Nevertheless, Rangers condemned the violence, the use of pyrotechnics, missile‑throwing, stadium vandalism, and any abuse directed at the victims of the historic Ibrox Disaster. The club affirmed its full cooperation with the independent review, accepted responsibility for matters within its control, and pledged to implement the lessons and recommendations to improve its security arrangements. It also made clear that it has no intention of restoring historic Old Firm allocations at Ibrox.
Celtic's interim chairman, Brian Wilson, issued a statement acknowledging the depth of the review and welcoming its emphasis on safety as the paramount concern. He noted that Celtic had raised strong objections to key aspects of the match‑day planning well before the game and, while still disputing certain points, the club does not shy away from criticism or the lessons to be learned.
Wilson described the small, non‑violent incursion by a minority of Celtic supporters as not a major threat, but he expressed serious concern over the actions of a segment of the home support – some masked and armed – and the subsequent attacks on Celtic fans and staff. He questioned why the recommendations of Glasgow City Council's Safety Advisory Group were overruled by senior police officials, creating a "vacuum" in safety oversight. Celtic welcomed the recommendation to formalise and strengthen the role of Safety Advisory Groups and pledged to cooperate fully with authorities while applying any valuable lessons to its own operations. Overall, the incident has reignited debate over the management of Old Firm derbies, the allocation of away tickets, and the influence of Ultra groups on Scottish football.
The SFA's charges and the Blackbourne report signal a willingness to hold clubs accountable and to tighten security protocols. As the disciplinary hearings approach, both clubs face the prospect of sanctions, and the broader football community watches closely to see whether the recommended reforms will be adopted to safeguard future matches from similar disorder.