Celtic and Rangers fail with appeal over Scottish Cup stadium closure

Celtic and Rangers have been told their Scottish Cup supporter ban will remain after learning the outcome of their appeal against sanctions imposed by the Scottish Football Association.

The governing body ruled that each Old Firm club would have to play their next home Scottish Cup match behind closed doors and pay an £100,000 fine in the form of gate receipt compensation to the away club in the wake of ugly scenes during a last 16 tie between the pair earlier this year.

Supporters from both clubs invaded the pitch on March 8 after Celtic’s penalty shootout win, with police and stewards forced to intervene. Officers made 43 arrests and a lengthy independent report thereafter claimed that the scenes could have been far worse.

Police form a barricade to stop and block fans getting onto the pitch after the Scottish Cup quarter-final between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox Stadium. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group) | SNS Group

Both Glasgow clubs contested the ruling, but on Thursday learned that the only concession given is that the threat of a further game being played behind closed doors on the back of fan trouble this season has now been scrapped.

For Celtic, the SFA decision read: “Appeal Partially Upheld. The Appellate Tribunal affirm the order that the next home Scottish Cup match for Celtic FC be played behind closed doors, and set aside the suspended further stadium closure and the suspended further compensatory payment.

"The Appellate Tribunal affirm the immediate compensatory payment of £100,000, payable within 30 days of completion of the match, but vary its terms under paragraphs 17.6.1(c), (e) and (i) to provide that no payment is due under that order if Rangers FC are the visiting club. For any other visiting club, the amount and deadline remain unchanged. The qualification does not affect the requirement to play the match behind closed doors £500 of the £1000 Appeal Deposit to be returned to the Appellant."

For Rangers, the verdict read: “Appeal Partially Upheld. The Appellate Tribunal affirm the order that the next home Scottish Cup match for Rangers FC be played behind closed doors, and set aside the suspended further stadium closure and the suspended further compensatory payment.

"The Appellate Tribunal affirm the immediate compensatory payment of £100,000, payable within 30 days of completion of the match, but vary its terms under paragraphs 17.6.1(c), (e) and (i) to provide that no payment is due under that order if Celtic FC are the visiting club. For any other visiting club, the amount and deadline remain unchanged. The qualification does not affect the requirement to play the match behind closed doors. £500 of the £1000 Appeal Deposit to be returned to the Appellant."