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Celtic and Rangers to play Scottish Cup matches behind closed doors
🇸🇬 Singapore /Sports

Celtic and Rangers to play Scottish Cup matches behind closed doors

From CNA · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Scottish football clubs Celtic and Rangers have been ordered to play their next home Scottish Cup matches behind closed doors following fan disturbances after their quarter-final clash.
  • Both clubs must also pay £100,000 in compensation to their next visiting cup opponents, with further sanctions threatened for future unrest.
  • Celtic expressed shock at the "disproportionate punishment" and are considering their options, while an independent review found failings at both clubs and criticized the Scottish FA for insufficient action against unrest.

Glasgow rivals Celtic and Rangers face playing their upcoming Scottish Cup home matches without fans after significant clashes between their supporters following this year's quarter-final at Ibrox. The decision comes after fans, some masked, invaded the pitch and threw flares after Celtic secured a 4-2 penalty shootout victory in March.

The Scottish Football Association (SFA) announced that both clubs will also be required to pay £100,000 in compensation to their next visiting cup opponents. This financial penalty aims to address the disruption caused by the fan behavior. Furthermore, either club will face a second match closure if any further unrest occurs at a Scottish Cup fixture before the end of the 2027-28 season, indicating a strict policy against future incidents.

Our club has never defended supporters entering the field of play and we have repeatedly taken action when it occurs. However, we understand the part emotion plays in football and would have expected the context and distinction in behaviours to have been taken into account by the panel.

— Celtic FC statementResponding to the SFA's decision, Celtic expressed their stance on fan conduct while questioning the proportionality of the punishment.

Celtic reacted with dismay, calling the punishment "disproportionate" for what they described as a "relatively small incursion by Celtic supporters at a moment of emotion and celebration." The club stated they do not condone fans entering the field of play but argued that the context and distinction in behaviors should have been considered. Celtic also pointed out that they were not the home club responsible for stadium safety on that occasion.

An independent review published last month identified failings at both Celtic and Rangers, while also criticizing the SFA for not being stringent enough in addressing fan unrest. Both clubs are scheduled to enter the competition at the fourth round stage in January. This disciplinary action follows difficult European campaigns for both sides, with Celtic failing to reach the Champions League group stage and Rangers exiting the Europa League.

disproportionate punishment for a relatively small incursion by Celtic supporters at a moment of emotion and celebration

— Celtic FC statementDescribing Celtic's reaction to the closed-door sanctions.
About this summary

Originally published by CNA in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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