Celtic and Rangers to play next home Scottish Cup matches behind closed doors

Celtic and Rangers have been unsuccessful in their appeals against a Scottish FA ruling that mandates both clubs to play their next home Scottish Cup matches without spectators. The decision follows a series of incidents during their previous encounter at Ibrox, where fan clashes led to police intervention and multiple arrests. Additionally, the clubs have been ordered to pay a £100,000 fine related to the events surrounding that match.

The original sanction was imposed after the quarter-final match last season, which ended in a goalless draw but saw significant disorder on the pitch. Following the match, 43 individuals were arrested, and several police officers sustained injuries as fans from both sides engaged in violent confrontations. The match was notable for having a substantial away fan presence, with around 7,500 Celtic supporters attending.

In light of the recent events, the possibility of a further match being played behind closed doors has been removed, provided there are no further incidents in Scottish Cup fixtures before the end of the next season. However, the fallout from the Ibrox incident has led to stricter measures regarding ticket allocations for away fans in future matches between the two clubs.

An independent report into the disturbances highlighted the potential for severe violence and called for more stringent penalties for clubs linked to fan misconduct. The report described the situation as precarious, noting that police officers felt threatened by the prospect of handling another match at Ibrox. It also suggested that certain ultra groups exhibited behaviours akin to organised crime, necessitating a reevaluation of safety protocols at football events in Scotland.

via Sky Sports