The Scottish Football Association has formally lodged disciplinary charges against both Rangers and Celtic following the violent disturbances that erupted after their Scottish Cup quarter‑final at Ibrox Stadium. In a joint notice of complaint, the SFA cited breaches of Rule 37, which governs "good order and security" and prohibits "unacceptable conduct" by clubs and their supporters. The rule obliges clubs to have robust policies and procedures in place, to identify potentially disruptive fans and to take appropriate action before, during and after a match.
Both clubs are now scheduled to appear before a disciplinary panel on 13 August to answer for the alleged infractions. The incident in question unfolded on 8 March when Celtic secured a win via a penalty shoot‑out.
As the decisive spot‑kick was converted, a wave of Celtic supporters surged onto the pitch in celebration. The celebratory incursion quickly turned hostile when over a hundred Rangers fans from the home end advanced toward the Celtic section, hurling fireworks and engaging in a physical confrontation. The clash spilled onto the playing surface, prompting police and stewards to intervene.
At least 37 individuals were arrested, and several law‑enforcement officers and stadium staff suffered injuries. This match marked the first occasion in recent years that a sizeable away allocation was reinstated for an Old Firm encounter. The SFA permitted 8,042 tickets for Celtic fans – the largest away allocation at Ibrox since 2018 – after a two‑year period during which no away supporters were allowed to attend due to previous security concerns.
Prior to this, away allocations for Premiership fixtures had been limited to between 2,000 and 2,500 seats. An independent review, led by former police officer Mark Blackbourne, was commissioned to examine the events in detail.
The report described how the "Celtic Ultras" were the first to enter the pitch in a state of jubilation, with other fans following their lead. In contrast, the "Union Bears" – the Rangers Ultra group – were characterised as "reactionary, confrontational, and overtly threatening" when they moved onto the track and towards the field. The proximity of both groups to the playing surface, the review argued, dramatically increased the risk of a mass incursion and accelerated the escalation of disorder. The review labelled the post‑match pitch invasion by several hundred Celtic supporters as "wholly inexcusable" and noted that it provoked an immediate hostile response from sections of the home crowd, who forced past stewards and police to reach the pitch.
The report documented multiple instances of fireworks being thrown, including six occasions where a flare landed near a Rangers security operative and even struck a CCTV operator. It also recounted an assault on the stadium's Stand Manager, who was hit in the face by a masked Rangers fan – believed to be an Ultra – resulting in a traumatic ear injury that required ongoing medical treatment. Perhaps most strikingly, the review highlighted that a special meeting of Glasgow City Council's Safety Advisory Group (SAG) recorded that some veteran Police Scotland officers described themselves as "petrified" of having to police another match at Ibrox.
Blackbourne stressed that this language, while needing context, remains deeply disturbing for Scottish football and demands urgent attention from all bodies responsible for safety and security at major fixtures. Interviewees in the review also drew parallels between the organisational structures of certain Ultra groups and those typical of organised crime syndicates, underscoring the seriousness of the threat they pose. The report called for significantly harsher sanctions against clubs whose Ultra factions are linked to violent incidents, urging the Scottish FA, the SPFL, clubs, Police Scotland and the Scottish Government to collaborate on stronger preventative measures.
Ian Maxwell, chief executive of the Scottish FA, praised the thoroughness of Blackbourne's independent review and pledged that the governing body would consider all recommendations in full. "The scenes witnessed during the cup tie have no place in our game," he said, adding that the SFA would work closely with all stakeholders to ensure such events are never repeated and to protect the reputation of Scottish football. Rangers responded by disputing several findings of the report, particularly the limited scrutiny applied to the decision to allocate roughly 8,000 tickets to Celtic – a move they argue fundamentally altered the fixture's risk profile.
The club criticised the review for not examining the Scottish FA's actions as rigorously as those of the clubs and other organisations, describing this as a significant omission. Nevertheless, Rangers condemned the disorder, praised the professionalism of police and stewards, and affirmed their commitment to implementing the review's lessons and recommendations. They also made clear they have no intention of restoring historic Old Firm allocations at Ibrox. Celtic's interim chairman, Brian Wilson, welcomed the report as a comprehensive piece of work that provides "food for thought and action".
He emphasised Celtic's long‑standing commitment to safety, noting that the club had raised strong objections to key aspects of match‑day planning well before the game. While Celtic continues to dispute certain points, Wilson insisted the club does not shy away from criticism and recognises the serious implications of ignoring safety recommendations.
He described the small, non‑violent incursion by a minority of Celtic fans as not a major threat, but condemned the masked, weapon‑bearing section of the home support that attacked supporters and staff. Wilson also expressed puzzlement over why recommendations from the Glasgow City Council Safety Advisory Group were overruled by senior Police Scotland officials, calling for the formalisation and strengthening of such advisory bodies.
The incident has reignited a broader debate about the role of Ultra groups in Scottish football, the adequacy of current security protocols, and the balance between fan passion and public safety. It underscores the challenges faced by authorities in managing large, emotionally charged derbies where historical rivalries run deep. As the disciplinary hearings approach, both clubs will have the opportunity to present their cases, but the overarching message from the SFA and the independent review is clear: safety must be the paramount concern, and any breach of that principle will be met with stringent consequences.