Celtic and Rangers await Scottish FA tribunal ruling on stadium closure appeals

Glasgow clubs present cases against behind-closed-doors penalty for fan disorder at Ibrox

By LineZotpaper AI staff

Published26 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Rangers and Celtic are waiting for a Scottish FA appellate tribunal to rule on their respective appeals against an order that they must play their next home Scottish Cup ties behind closed doors, after the clubs presented their cases on Monday.

The stadium closure penalty was announced in late August following the disorder that marred the end of last season's Scottish Cup quarter-final tie at Ibrox, which Celtic won after a penalty shoot-out. Supporters threw fireworks and other missiles, police officers were injured, and 43 arrests had been made by 25 August.

Both clubs are also challenging fines of £100,000 after their fans clashed on the pitch. Under the penalty, the clubs were warned that they could be forced to play a second home match without supporters in the event of further unacceptable conduct.

An independent review published in July, led by Mark Blackbourne, concluded that the incident "came within a very small margin of becoming a violent mass confrontation". The report identified failings by both clubs and criticised the Scottish FA for not taking a tougher approach to crowd disorder.

In September, an agreement was reached to have no away fans at any of the Old Firm derbies in this season's SPFL competitions.

The tribunal will now deliberate before announcing whether the sanctions stand.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

The ruling will affect matchday atmosphere and revenue for both clubs, as playing behind closed doors could reduce income and impact fans.
It sets a precedent for how Scottish football authorities handle crowd disorder and stadium safety.
The outcome may influence future measures to prevent fan violence at high-profile fixtures.

Background

The disorder occurred at the end of last season's Scottish Cup quarter-final between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox in March. After Celtic won on penalties, supporters from both sides clashed on the pitch, throwing fireworks and other missiles. Police officers were injured, and 43 arrests were made by late August. The Scottish FA imposed stadium closure penalties and fines in late August, which both clubs appealed. An independent review highlighted failings by both clubs and criticised the SFA's previous approach to crowd disorder.

What to Watch

The tribunal's deliberation period: no timeline has been given for when the decision will be announced.
Whether the appeal is upheld and sanctions are reduced, or whether the clubs face additional measures for future unacceptable conduct.
Potential impact on ticketing and policing for upcoming Old Firm derbies and other matches.

Sources

Celtic & Rangers wait for stadium closures ruling · BBC Scotland

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedCeltic and Rangers await a Scottish FA appellate tribunal ruling on their appeals against having to play their next home Scottish Cup ties behind closed doors.BBC Scotland: “Rangers and Celtic are waiting for a Scottish FA appellate tribunal to rule on their respective appeals against an order that they must play their next home Scottish Cup ties behind closed doors.”
SupportedThe Glasgow clubs presented cases against a behind-closed-doors penalty for fan disorder at Ibrox.BBC Scotland: “The Glasgow clubs presented their cases on Monday and the tribunal will now undertake a period of deliberation before announcing whether the sanctions stand. The stadium closure penalty was announced in late August following the disorder at the end of last season's quarter-final tie at Ibrox”
SupportedThe clubs presented their cases on Monday.BBC Scotland: “The Glasgow clubs presented their cases on Monday”
SupportedThe stadium-closure penalty was announced in late August following disorder at the end of last season’s quarter-final tie at Ibrox.BBC Scotland: “The stadium closure penalty was announced in late August following the disorder at the end of last season's quarter-final tie at Ibrox”
SupportedSupporters threw fireworks and other missiles.BBC Scotland: “Supporters threw fireworks and other missiles and police officers were injured”
SupportedPolice officers were injured.BBC Scotland: “police officers were injured”
SupportedThere had been 43 arrests by 25 August.BBC Scotland: “43 arrests had been made by 25 August.”
SupportedBoth clubs are challenging £100,000 fines after their fans clashed on the pitch at Ibrox.BBC Scotland: “They clubs are also challenging fines of £100,000 after their fans clashed on the Ibrox pitch.”
SupportedBoth clubs were warned they could be forced to play a second home match without supporters if there was further unacceptable conduct.BBC Scotland: “Both clubs were warned that they could be forced play a second home match without supporters in the event of further unacceptable conduct.”
SupportedThe independent review said the incident “came within a very small margin of becoming a violent mass confrontation”.BBC Scotland: “An independent review published in July concluded the incident "came within a very small margin of becoming a violent mass confrontation".”
SupportedThe review was led by Mark Blackbourne and identified failings by both clubs while criticising the Scottish FA for not taking a tougher approach to crowd disorder.BBC Scotland: “The report, led by Mark Blackbourne, identified failings by both clubs and criticised the SFA for not taking a tougher approach to crowd disorder.”
SupportedAn agreement was reached in September to have no away fans at Old Firm derbies in this season’s SPFL competitions.BBC Scotland: “An agreement was reached in September to have no away fans at any of the Old Firm derbies in this season's SPFL competitions.”