Celtic voice frustration over SFA sanction following Old Firm quarter-final disorder

Celtic have hit back at the Scottish Football Association after being told to play their next home Scottish Cup fixture behind closed doors following the disorder that marred March’s Old Firm quarter-final.

The Scottish champions have described the punishment as “disproportionate”. Both Celtic and Rangers have also been instructed to pay £100,000 to the opponents they face in their respective next Scottish Cup home fixtures.

Celtic question severity of Scottish Cup sanction

The SFA disciplinary process followed the disorder at Ibrox in March, when Celtic supporters entered the pitch after their penalty shootout victory, before Rangers fans subsequently came onto the playing surface and confronted the visiting supporters.

The chaotic scenes led to dozens of arrests, while a subsequent independent investigation found that “crushing” and potentially life-threatening violence had only narrowly been avoided.

Celtic and Rangers both admitted charges relating to the unacceptable behaviour of their supporters. As part of the resulting sanctions, each club must play its next Scottish Cup home match without spectators.

However, Celtic have strongly challenged the severity of the punishment. The Parkhead club described the involvement of their supporters as a “relatively small incursion” and argued that, as the away team, responsibility for stadium security and safety arrangements did not rest with them.

Celtic stressed that they have never condoned supporters entering the pitch and pointed to previous occasions when the club has taken action over similar incidents. Nevertheless, they believe the disciplinary panel should have taken the circumstances surrounding the Ibrox disorder into greater consideration.

Rangers, meanwhile, have said they will study the decision before determining whether to pursue any further action. Both clubs will also suffer financially, with the closed-door sanctions meaning they stand to lose their share of the gate receipts from those Scottish Cup fixtures.

A further incident involving either club during the Scottish Cup within the next two seasons would trigger another closed-door punishment.

The sanctions arrive amid renewed scrutiny surrounding Rangers, after the club confirmed that Celtic will receive only 300 tickets for their forthcoming Premier Sports Cup quarter-final at Ibrox.

FGG says: Celtic’s argument deserves consideration

There is little doubt that the scenes at Ibrox were unacceptable, and both clubs must accept responsibility for the conduct of their supporters.

That said, the circumstances involving the home and away fans were not identical. Celtic’s argument that the punishment is disproportionate is therefore understandable, especially given that both clubs have received the same sanction.