'Material risk': Rangers cut Celtic ticket allocation as clubs consider options after stadium closures

Rangers and Celtic are considering their next steps after being ordered to play their next home Scottish Cup match behind closed doors, while the Ibrox club have sizeably cut the away allocation for the pair’s Premier Sports Cup tie next month after claiming Celtic failed to give them reassurances over “accountability and deterrence”.

The Scottish Football Association punishment comes in the wake of an SFA disciplinary hearing lead by Mark Blackbourne into the trouble that marred Celtic’s quarter-final win at Ibrox in March.

Dozens of arrests were made following clashes on the pitch after Rangers fans charged on to confront Celtic supporters who had spilled on to the playing area to celebrate their team’s penalty shoot-out success.

Crowd disorder marred the match between Rangers and Celtic back in March. | SNS Group

Both clubs will have to pay their opponents £100,000 in compensation for the loss of shared gate receipts at the cup ties and any repeat of crowd trouble at Scottish Cup ties in the next two seasons would prompt another closed-door punishment.

Rangers and Celtic admitted charges relating to unacceptable conduct from supporters, with an independent review into the scenes previously concluded that “crushing” and “life-threatening violence” were narrowly avoided.

The Old Firm clubs released statements on the back of the ruling, with Celtic’s published first. They expressed “shock” at the sanction and take umbrage at the SFA’s ruling. Rangers also responded later on Friday and confirmed an allocation of 300 away tickets for the duo’s Premier Sports Cup on September 13, expressing concern “that there is a material risk of recurrence”.

Celtic had around 7000 in attendance for the Scottish Cup tie in March, while usual Premiership away allocations for the fixture have been around the 2500 mark.

Celtic’s statement read: “We are shocked by this disproportionate punishment for a relatively small incursion by Celtic supporters at a moment of emotion and celebration,” it read. “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.

“Another important distinction is that, on this occasion, Celtic were not the home club, responsible for stadium safety arrangements.

“We will study the panel’s report and reasoning when it is available and will thereafter consider our next steps.”

What Rangers had to say

Rangers’ statement also claimed that Celtic have not sufficiently eased their concerns over safety after reaching out to their Glasgow rivals.

It read: “Rangers can confirm that the away allocation for the forthcoming Premier Sports Cup fixture at Ibrox against Celtic will be 300 tickets.

“Since the clubs last considered away allocations, the Blackbourne Report has been published and our sanction issued. Together with the events of 8 March and our assessment of the current risk, these developments have informed our planning for this fixture. Matchday safety remains our top priority.

“A reduced allocation allows greater individual ticket-holder accountability, stronger ingress controls, enhanced segregation and additional safeguards appropriate to the risk identified for this fixture.

“Since 8 March, there have also been further pitch invasions involving Celtic supporters. The Blackbourne Report demonstrated how quickly an initial incursion can escalate into wider disorder involving both sets of supporters. Preventing another pitch incursion is therefore an important part of reducing the risk of further disorder at this fixture.

“Following the recent cup draw, Rangers approached Celtic with proposals aimed at finding a sustainable way forward. Celtic responded eight days later, and that response did not address our concerns around accountability and deterrence. Rangers has not seen the clear acknowledgement, condemnation or deterrent messaging we believe should follow events of that seriousness from Celtic.

“Rangers have been left to manage the significant consequences of the damage caused on 8 March. Our concern is whether enough has been done since then to demonstrate accountability and reduce the likelihood of the same behaviour being repeated.

“We remain concerned that there is a material risk of recurrence.

“We are willing to work constructively with all stakeholders and authorities involved in matchday safety for these fixtures. However, the risks currently identified will only be reduced through greater accountability, effective deterrence and constructive joint working.

“We have previously raised concerns where risks identified by the club were not, in our view, given sufficient weight, including in relation to the increased away allocation for the 8 March fixture. Rangers will not be deterred from taking decisions it believes are necessary to protect our club, our stadium and our fans.

“Finally, we note the decision of the Scottish FA Tribunal published today and will now consider the outcome in full, including its implications, before determining any further steps.