Celtic and Rangers lose appeals against SFA stadium closure ruling after Old Firm disorder

Rangers and Celtic have lost their appeals against an order by the SFA to play their next home Scottish Cup games behind closed doors.

The clubs presented their cases on Monday, with a tribunal ruling that the stadium bans will stand.

The two sides will have to pay the visiting team £100,000 for loss of ticket-sale revenue, following fan disorder at the end of last season’s Scottish Cup quarter-final tie at Ibrox.

Fans clashed on the pitch after Celtic secured a 4-2 shoot-out victory over Rangers on penalties.

Celtic F.C said it was ‘disappointed’ in the ‘excessive and disproportionate punishment’.

Police have made 37 arrests following the violence, which saw officers, supporters, members of coaching staff, and players assaulted.

A ten-year-old child was also struck by a coin as items, including pyrotechnics, were thrown by supporters.

A recent report by the Scottish Football Association following the incident found that “life-threatening” violence could have unfolded in the four minutes and 28 seconds it took for police to re-establish control after the disorder broke out.

A report by the SFA on the disorder found that Celtic Ultras were the first to enter the pitch “in jubilation”, with others following their lead.

The Union Bears were described as following in behaviour described as “reactionary, confrontational, and overtly threatening”.

It added: “The post-match pitch invasion by several hundred Celtic supporters was wholly inexcusable. It provoked an immediate hostile response from sections of the home support, who forced past stewards and police to reach the pitch.”

Among the disorder, a flare was thrown between the two groups six times, with one striking an RFC security operative and a CCTV operator.

The stand manager was found to have been confronted by a masked Rangers fan – assumed to be an Ultra group member – and hit in the face and hospitalised. The employee is receiving ongoing treatment for the inner ear following a traumatic injury.

Celtic said in a statement: “While we recognise that our appeal has been partially upheld, we remain extremely disappointed by this excessive and disproportionate punishment relating to an incursion by supporters at a moment of emotion and celebration.

“It continues to be our view that a false equivalence has been drawn in relation to the very different actions of two groups.

“We have not defended supporters entering the field of play and understand the part emotion plays in football. We would have expected this context and the very obvious distinction in behaviours to have been recognised.

“Additionally, the fact that Celtic Football Club had no responsibility for stadium safety arrangements also seems to have been disregarded in establishing these sanctions.”

Rangers has been contacted for comment.

It was agreed in September that any Old Firm derbies this season would have no away fans.