Celtic and Rangers face closed doors for Scottish Cup matches
Celtic and Rangers have both been ordered to play their next home Scottish Cup fixtures behind closed doors following the shocking crowd trouble that marred last season’s Old Firm quarter-final, reports BritPanorama.
The decision comes with both clubs facing a fine of £100,000 in compensation to whichever teams they are drawn against for those matches. Further repercussions loom for either club should their supporters engage in “unacceptable conduct” during the competition.
This additional suspended punishment remains active until the conclusion of the 2027-28 season and would trigger another £100,000 payment to the affected opposition club if invoked.
The immediate sanctions will come into effect when Celtic and Rangers enter this season’s Scottish Cup at the fourth-round stage in January. In cases where either team is drawn away from home, the stadium closure will persist until their next home match in the tournament.
The Scottish Football Association (SFA) has acted decisively following the disturbing scenes at Ibrox in March, where supporters flooded onto the pitch after a penalty shootout, resulting in chaos and injuries among police and stewards attempting to maintain order.
Celtic advanced to the semi-finals after a tense 4-2 penalty victory following a goalless draw over 120 minutes. Following the incident, both clubs were charged under SFA disciplinary rule 37, which pertains to unacceptable conduct at football matches.
An independent judicial panel reviewed the clubs’ evidence, delivering one of the toughest domestic sanctions imposed on the Old Firm. This ruling followed an inquiry led by Mark Blackbourne that critiqued both clubs and the SFA’s inadequate response to crowd disorder during the match.
In the past, Scottish football authorities have responded to incidents of pyrotechnics and supporter misconduct with fines or reduced ticket allocations. However, mandating two of the country’s largest clubs to host matches in completely empty stadiums marks a significant escalation in response to crowd safety.
The additional compensation requirement is aimed at addressing the lost revenue for opponents who would typically draw support from away fans during these fixtures.
A repeat of such offences could lead to the activation of the suspended stadium closure and compensation payment, imposing further significant repercussions on Celtic or Rangers. Both clubs have consistently defended their positions throughout the disciplinary process, but the SFA hopes these unprecedented sanctions will serve as a firm deterrent against future incidents.
The upcoming fourth round is slated for the weekend of January 16, leaving fans to await the draw to see whether the repercussions materialise immediately.
This decisive action serves as a reminder of the fragility between sport and supporter behaviour, where even the most celebrated rivalries can unravel under pressure. The upcoming fixtures, devoid of the home crowds typically expected, will fundamentally alter the matchday experience and the competitive landscape.
