The Scottish Football Association (SFA) has formally lodged disciplinary charges against 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 governing body cited breaches of Rule 37, which governs "good order and security" and condemns "unacceptable conduct" by clubs and their supporters.
The rule requires 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 now scheduled to appear before a disciplinary panel on 13 August. The incident unfolded on 8 March when Celtic secured a penalty‑shootout victory.
As the winning spot‑kick was celebrated, a wave of Celtic supporters surged onto the pitch. Within moments, over a hundred Rangers fans from the home end charged onto the field, hurling fireworks and creating a volatile confrontation.
The melee quickly escalated, resulting in at least 37 arrests and injuries to police officers and stewards. The match also marked the first time in several years that an away allocation of 8,042 tickets was permitted for an Old Firm encounter – the largest away crowd at the fixture since 2018.
Prior to this, away numbers had been capped at between 2,000 and 2,500 after a two‑year period with no away supporters allowed at Ibrox. An independent review led by Mark Blackbourne examined the events in detail. Blackbourne’s report described the initial pitch invasion by a group known as the Celtic Ultras as a "celebratory" entry, while the subsequent movement of the Rangers "Union Bears" was characterised as "reactionary, confrontational, and overtly threatening." The proximity of both groups to the playing surface, the report argued, dramatically increased the risk of a mass incursion and accelerated the spread of disorder. The review condemned the post‑match invasion by several hundred Celtic fans as "wholly inexcusable" and noted that it provoked a hostile response from sections of the home support, who forced past stewards and police to reach the pitch.
The investigation also documented the use of pyrotechnics and missiles. A flare was thrown back and forth six times, striking a Rangers security operative and a CCTV operator.
In another incident, a masked Rangers fan – believed to be affiliated with an Ultra group – assaulted the club’s stand manager, delivering a blow to the face that resulted in a serious inner‑ear injury requiring ongoing treatment. Blackbourne highlighted a particularly unsettling remark recorded during a Glasgow City Council Special SAG meeting: senior Police Scotland officers, some with decades of service, described themselves as "petrified" of policing a subsequent match at Ibrox. He stressed that this comment, while needing contextual interpretation, was "deeply disturbing" for Scottish football and demanded urgent attention from all bodies responsible for safety at major fixtures.
The report went further, likening the organisational traits of certain Ultra factions to those commonly associated with organised crime groups. It called for significantly harsher sanctions against clubs linked to such groups, urging the SFA and its partners to adopt a zero‑tolerance stance. Ian Maxwell, chief executive of the Scottish FA, praised Blackbourne’s comprehensive review and pledged that the governing body would consider all recommendations in full, working alongside the SPFL, clubs, Police Scotland and the Scottish Government to prevent a repeat of the incident. "The scenes witnessed during the cup tie should have no place in our game," he said, reaffirming the SFA’s commitment to safeguarding the sport’s reputation.
Rangers responded by disputing parts of the findings, particularly the "limited examination" of the decision to allocate roughly 8,000 tickets to Celtic, which the club argued fundamentally altered the fixture’s risk profile. The Rangers statement insisted that the independent review should have scrutinised the Scottish FA’s actions as rigorously as those of the clubs and other organisations, describing this omission as significant. Nevertheless, Rangers condemned the violence, the use of pyrotechnics, and any vandalism, acknowledging the professionalism of police and stewards in restoring order.
The club affirmed its full cooperation with the review and its intention to implement the lessons learned, while also stating it has no plans to revert to historic Old Firm allocations at Ibrox. Celtic’s interim chairman, Brian Wilson, described the report as a thorough piece of work that offers "food for thought and action" to all parties. He welcomed the emphasis on safety above all else, aligning with Celtic’s own policies.
While the club continues to dispute certain aspects of the review, Wilson stressed that Celtic does not shy away from criticism and recognises the serious implications of ignoring safety recommendations. He noted that the non‑violent incursion by a small number of Celtic supporters after the match was not, in itself, a major threat, but condemned the actions of masked home supporters who carried weapons and attacked fans and staff. Wilson expressed puzzlement over why recommendations from Glasgow City Council’s Safety Advisory Group were overruled by senior Police Scotland officials, creating a "vacuum" in the previously understood safety framework. He welcomed calls to formalise and strengthen the role of Safety Advisory Groups.
Overall, the SFA’s charges, the independent review’s findings, and the statements from both clubs underscore a heightened focus on security, fan behaviour, and governance in Scottish football. The upcoming disciplinary hearing on 13 August will determine the specific penalties each club may face, while the broader football community watches closely to see how the recommendations will be implemented to safeguard future fixtures from similar chaos.