Both Rangers and Celtic have been handed a sanction that will see their upcoming home fixtures in the Scottish Cup played behind closed doors. The Scottish Football Association (SFA) announced the punishment in response to the disorder that erupted during last season's quarter‑final at Ibrox, where the two Glasgow clubs met. In addition to the ban on spectators, each club has been ordered to compensate the visiting side with a payment of £100,000 for the next home Scottish Cup tie.
The SFA also warned that any further incident at a Scottish Cup match before the close of the 2027/28 season will trigger an additional stadium‑closure sanction. The decision follows the dramatic scene at Ibrox in March, when a penalty‑shootout victory for Celtic was followed by a pitch invasion and violent clashes between supporters. Celtic reacted to the ruling by describing it as "shocking" and "disproportionate," arguing that the penalty far exceeds the scale of the incident. The quarter‑final was the first Old Firm encounter at Ibrox since 2018 in which Celtic were allocated the entire Broomloan Stand, giving them roughly 7,500 away supporters.
Some of those fans even breached the away end before kickoff, a measure that had been put in place to meet the Scottish Cup’s ticket‑allocation guidelines. In contrast, the league match between the two sides the weekend before had only about 2,500 away fans, reflecting a mutual agreement to limit the away allocation to roughly five percent of the stadium’s capacity.
This reduced figure came after several seasons of curtailed or even zero away‑fan allocations for certain fixtures. The quarter‑final itself ended in a goalless draw, and Celtic progressed after a 4‑2 shoot‑out win. However, the celebration quickly turned chaotic. A number of visiting fans spilled onto the pitch after the decisive spot‑kick, prompting a retaliatory charge from Rangers supporters, with fireworks being tossed back and forth.
Police later reported a total of 43 arrests linked to the disturbances. An independent inquiry, led by former judge Mark Blackbourne, concluded that the situation narrowly avoided "crushing" and "life‑threatening" violence. The report noted that Celtic’s Ultras were the first to enter the field in a state of jubilation, while the Rangers’ supporters, known as the Union Bears, moved onto the track in a reactionary and confrontational manner. Both groups’ proximity to the playing surface, the investigation said, significantly raised the risk of a mass incursion and accelerated the escalation of disorder.
The panel described the post‑match invasion by several hundred Celtic fans as "wholly inexcusable" and highlighted the hostile response from sections of the home crowd, who forced their way past stewards and police to reach the pitch. The review also found it "deeply disturbing" that a special meeting of Glasgow City Council’s Safety Advisory Group recorded that some veteran Police Scotland officers were "petrified" of policing another match at Ibrox.
While the wording was meant to be contextual, the panel stressed that such a sentiment demands serious attention from all parties responsible for safety and security at major Scottish football events. Interviewees in the report likened the organisational traits of certain Ultra groups to those commonly associated with organised crime, urging that incidents involving these factions be met with harsher sanctions from the clubs.
Celtic’s statement reiterated their shock at what they termed a disproportionate sanction for what they described as a relatively minor incursion during a moment of emotional celebration. They also pointed out that, in this instance, Celtic were not the home club and therefore not responsible for the stadium’s safety arrangements. Celtic said they would study the panel’s full report and reasoning before deciding on their next steps.
Meanwhile, Rangers announced they will allocate 300 tickets to Celtic for an upcoming League Cup match at Ibrox, a decision based on the findings of the independent review. Rangers added that, since the quarter‑final, there have been additional pitch invasions involving Celtic supporters. In a club statement, Rangers explained that after the recent cup draw they approached Celtic with proposals aimed at establishing a sustainable way forward.
Celtic’s response, received eight days later, reportedly failed to address Rangers’ concerns about accountability and deterrence. Rangers noted that they have not seen a clear acknowledgment, condemnation, or deterrent messaging from Celtic that they believe should follow events of this seriousness.
The club further acknowledged the SFA’s sanction that will see their next home Scottish Cup game played without spectators and said they will now consider the full implications of the decision before determining any further actions. Sky Sports News has reached out to Celtic for comment. Overall, the sanctions imposed on both Glasgow giants underscore the SFA’s determination to curb fan violence and enforce stricter safety standards in Scottish football.
The measures, including closed‑door matches and hefty financial penalties, aim to deter future incidents and ensure that the sport remains a safe environment for all participants and supporters.