Celtic hit out at “disproportionate” stadium closure after Old Firm fan disorder

Celtic have criticised the Scottish Football Association's decision to order them to play their next home Scottish Cup match behind closed doors following disorder during March's Old Firm quarter-final.

The club labelled the punishment “disproportionate”, whole both Celtic and Rangers have also been ordered to pay £100,000 to their next Scottish Cup opponents.

Celtic criticise Scottish Cup punishment

The SFA disciplinary hearing followed chaotic scenes at Ibrox in March, when Celtic supporters entered the pitch after their penalty-shootout victory before Rangers fans also spilled onto the playing area to confront them.

The disorder resulted in dozens of arrests, while an independent review later concluded that “crushing” and “life-threatening violence” had narrowly been avoided.

Both clubs admitted charges relating to unacceptable conduct from their supporters and have now been ordered to stage their next home Scottish Cup fixture behind closed doors.

The Bhoys have strongly disputed the severity of their punishment, describing their supporters' involvement as a “relatively small incursion” and arguing that the club was not responsible for stadium safety arrangements as the away side.

The Scottish champions said they have never defended supporters entering the field of play and have repeatedly taken action when such incidents have occurred, but believe the context surrounding the disorder should have been considered by the disciplinary panel.

The Gers, meanwhile, said they would consider the outcome in full before deciding whether to take any further action, with both clubs also facing financial penalty through the loss of shared gate receipts.

Any repeat of crowd trouble involving either side in the Scottish Cup over the next two seasons would result in another closed-door punishment.

The sanctions come with Derek McInnes's team already attracting attention, after Rangers confirmed that the visitors will receive just 300 tickets for their upcoming Premier Sports Cup quarter-final at Ibrox.

FGG says: Celtic may have a point about the punishment

The scenes at Ibrox were clearly unacceptable, and both clubs have to take responsibility for the behavior of their supporters.

However, given the different roles played by the home and away fans, Celtic's argument that the punishment is disproportionate is understandable, particularly when the same sanction has been applied to both clubs.