Rangers and Celtic await verdict on closed-door stadium punishment after Ibrox fan disorder

Scottish giants Rangers and Celtic are awaiting a decision on their appeals against orders to play their next home Scottish Cup ties behind closed doors.

The punishments followed the disorder at the end of last season’s Old Firm quarter-final at Ibrox Stadium, with both clubs also challenging £100,000 fines.

Rangers and Celtic await decision on stadium ban appeal

The Glasgow rivals presented their cases to a Scottish FA appellate tribunal on Monday, with the panel now deliberating before announcing whether the sanctions will stand, as per the BBC.

The original punishments were imposed in late August after supporters from both clubs clashed on the pitch following Celtic’s penalty shoot-out victory at Ibrox.

Fireworks and other missiles were thrown during the disorder, which left police officers injured. By August 24th, 43 arrests had been made in connection with the incident.

An independent review published in July, led by Mark Blackbourne, concluded that the scenes had come within a very small margin of escalating into a violent mass confrontation.

The report identified failings by both clubs and criticised the Scottish FA for not previously taking a tougher stance on crowd disorder.

Rangers and Celtic were also warned that further unacceptable conduct could result in a second home match being played without supporters.

Meanwhile, an agreement was reached in September to prevent away supporters from attending any Old Firm derbies in this season’s Scottish Professional Football League competitions.

FGG says: Rangers and Celtic must take responsibility for Ibrox disorder

The appeal outcome will be significant for both clubs and their supporters, particularly given the financial and sporting consequences of staging an Old Firm clash without a crowd.

There is a clear distinction between punishing clubs and punishing supporters who had no involvement in the disorder, but the seriousness of the incident cannot be overlooked.

Injured police officers, missiles and the risk of a much larger confrontation underline why meaningful consequences are being considered. Ultimately, the tribunal must weigh the circumstances and the clubs’ arguments against the need to deter similar scenes in the future.

Whatever the verdict, Rangers and Celtic need to demonstrate that preventing another incident is more than simply a matter of avoiding the next sanction.