Celtic fined and tickets reduced after title win pitch invasion against Hearts

Celtic have been fined £7,500 and have had 1,000 tickets reduced after fans invaded the pitch following a title win against Hearts.

Martin O’Neill’s men clinched the title in dramatic circumstances on May 16 as substitute Callum Osmand raced away on the counter to score in the 3-1 win.

Hundreds of Hoops fans streamed onto the pitch, with Hearts investor Tony Bloom claiming that their players had been assaulted.

The Scottish FA then released audio from the VAR studio to confirm that the game had ended after concerns that the referee Don Robertson hadn’t signalled for an end to the game.

The governing body, however, said the match alongside Motherwell v Celtic, Inverness v Hamilton, Hamilton v Clyde and Stenhousemuir v Alloa Athletic were being investigated further.

Now, the Scottish champions have been fined £7,500, and a reduction in capacity of 1,000 seats (to be taken from the front rows of the home sections of Celtic Park) has been imposed for one league match.

This is suspended until June 30, 2028, but can be triggered by a significant pitch incursion by home fans at a future home SPFL match.

Celtic have also been fined £2,500 and have had 100 tickets from the club’s allocation in one away league match reduced for a pitch invasion and pyrotechnic use after their late winner against Motherwell at Fir Park on May 13.

That has also been suspended until June 30, 2027, and is also to be triggered by either the orchestrated or excessively dangerous use of pyrotechnics by away fans, or a significant pitch incursion by away fans, in each case at a future away SPFL match.

At least five Celtic and Motherwell supporters shall be referred to the SPFL Trust’s recognised pyrotechnic awareness course, the governing body said.

Motherwell, for a pitch incursion and pyrotechnic use in the same game, have also been fined £2,500 and have been hit with a stand closure for one SPFL match, suspended until June 30, 2027.

This is also to be triggered by either the orchestrated or excessively dangerous use of pyrotechnics by home fans, or a significant pitch incursion by home fans, in each case at a future home SPFL match.

Elsewhere, Inverness have been hit with a closure of 50% of the North Stand for one SPFL match, suspended until June 30, 2028, after a pitch invasion against Hamilton last month. The club have also been fined £1,000.

Hamilton, during the same game, have been fined £1,000 for a pitch invasion. The club have also been given a formal warning and reprimand for a pitch invasion against Clyde on May 15.

Stenhousemuir have also been hit with a 150-seat capacity reduction (to be taken from the front rows of the main stand at Ochilview Park) for one SPFL match, suspended until June 30, 2028 for a pitch invasion against Alloa Athletic on May 16.

This is to be triggered by a significant pitch incursion by home fans at a future home SPFL match.

An SPFL spokesperson said: “Supporters entering the field of play in any circumstances is wholly unacceptable and puts players, fans and match officials at significant risk of physical harm. The use of pyrotechnics at matches is illegal and highly dangerous.

“The SPFL has been repeatedly clear that there is no place for this behaviour in Scottish football. We will continue to work together with stakeholders, including the Scottish FA, Police Scotland and Scottish Government, to address challenges surrounding unacceptable conduct at matches.”