Celtic and Rangers have ticket allocations cut as punishment over pyro

Celtic and Rangers have had their ticket allocation for their next League Cup games at Hampden cut, as the SPFL took action over the use of pyrotechnics.

The Glasgow giants, along with Motherwell, were called to account by the league body after the semi-finals of this season’s Premier Sports Cup were disrupted by fans lighting flares and smoke bombs. Even after a warning was issued following those games, there was further use of pyrotechnics at the showpiece final in December.

The SPFL launched disciplinary proceedings against all three clubs and has now reported back on the findings of an independent panel.

Each of the three clubs has been punished with a reduction of their ticket allocation by 500 seats for their next game at Hampden in the competition. Motherwell’s punishment has been suspended for two years, given they were only found guilty of a single breach.

Celtic and Rangers have also been given an additional suspended punishment and will see their allocation cut by 800 tickets if there is a repeat of the rule breach at any league or League Cup game within the next two years.

A statement from the competition organisers read: “The SPFL has confirmed that Celtic, Motherwell and Rangers have been found in breach of SPFL rules following separate disciplinary hearings into the behaviour of the clubs’ supporters at this season’s Premier Sports Cup semi-finals and final.

“Proceedings into large-scale, organised and illegal pyrotechnics displays at Celtic v Aberdeen and Rangers v Motherwell in November, and Celtic v Rangers in December, were undertaken by an independent Disciplinary Commission and have now concluded.

“All three clubs have been found to have breached SPFL Rule H34 in failing to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, that their supporters did not engage in ‘unacceptable conduct’ at those matches. The clubs were also found to have failed to identify or take proportionate disciplinary measures against the supporters responsible for the pyrotechnic displays.

“These displays led to a 14-minute delay to Celtic v Aberdeen, a five-minute delay to Motherwell v Rangers, a 3-minute delay to the Premier Sports Cup final; a health and safety risk to fellow supporters, players and those working at matches; as well as a significant inconvenience to thousands of supporters at the matches and fans watching worldwide.”

It’s understood that the SPFL’s investigation found that the displays were carried out by specific ‘ultras’ groups from each support, with Celtic’s displays Green Brigade and Bhoys Group identified as well as Rangers fans the Union Bears and Motherwell’s Block E Ultras.

It has been illegal to use pyrotechnics in Scottish football stadia since 2023 and senior figures from within the game have repeatedly called for their use to be stopped. Clubs have also faced significant fines for similar behaviour in European games.

In a statement released after the ruling, a Rangers spokesperson said: “Rangers notes the statement from the SPFL and the sanction imposed on the club following the use of pyrotechnics at Premier Sports Cup fixtures earlier this season

“The club has been consistently clear that the use of pyrotechnics at our matches in any competition is unacceptable and could lead to sanctions.

“This has now come to pass with 500 of our supporters to be locked out of a Premier Sports Cup tie at Hampden the next time the club reaches the latter stages of that competition.

“A repeat use at any future SPFL (Premiership or League Cup) game will lead to even more supporters – the vast majority of whom will not have used pyrotechnics – being unable to attend a future semi-final or final tie in the Premier Sports Cup at the National Stadium.

“Rangers again reiterates that pyrotechnic use is illegal, and will now deprive Rangers supporters the opportunity to back their team in a key match.”

A government-convened expert group is expected to report back later this year on proposals to extend the use of football banning orders, following calls from the Scottish FA and SPFL among others.

Speaking about the SPFL’s actions, Scottish Government Minister for Victims and Community Safety Siobhan Brown said: “We welcome the actions of the SPFL in sending a clear message that this is an issue that needs to be tackled. It is a criminal offence to take or to use pyrotechnics in football stadiums.

“We continue to work with Police Scotland and football authorities to tackle this issue. As well as being illegal, pyrotechnics can cause serious injury and can spoil the enjoyment of games for the vast majority of fans.”