Celtic and Rangers ordered to play match behind closed doors after Scottish Cup chaos | OneFootball

Celtic and Rangers have both been ordered to play their next home Scottish Cup match behind closed doors following the crowd trouble that marred last season’s quarter-final at Ibrox.

An independent review into Celtic’s win in March found that that “crushing” and “life-threatening violence” were narrowly avoided after fans from both teams stormed the pitch.

Dozens of arrests followed clashes between fans on the pitch after Celtic won on penalties. Rangers fans confronted Celtic supporters who had spilled onto the pitch in celebration.

Celtic said they were “shocked” by the decision and called the punishment “disproportionate” after a “relatively small incursion” by supporters at a “moment of emotion and celebration”.

The punishment, which will also see both Celtic and Rangers pay their opponents £100,000 in compensation for the loss of gate receipts, will only apply to their next home Scottish Cup fixture.

Rangers will host Celtic in the Scottish League Cup quarter-finals on Sunday 13 September, and there is another Old Firm clash scheduled in the Premiership on Sunday 20 September.

A Scottish Football Association disciplinary hearing also ruled that any repeat of crowd trouble in the Scottish Cup in the next two seasons would result in another closed-door punishment.

Both Rangers and Celtic admitted the charges by the SFA with failing to prevent “unacceptable conduct” and faced a disciplinary hearing at Hampden on 13 August.

“We are shocked by this disproportionate punishment for a relatively small incursion by Celtic supporters at a moment of emotion and celebration,” a statement from Celtic said.

“Our club has never defended supporters entering the field of play and we have repeatedly taken action when it occur.

“However, we understand the part emotion plays in football and would have expected the context and distinction in behaviours to have been taken into account by the panel.

“Another important distinction is that, on this occasion, Celtic were not the home club, responsible for stadium safety arrangements.

“We will study the panel’s report and reasoning when it is available and will thereafter consider our next steps.”

Rangers have yet to comment.

Premiership clubs enter the Scottish Cup in the fourth round, to be played across the weekend of Saturday 16 January 2027.

There is then the fifth round in February and quarter-finals in March, before the semi-finals are held at a neutral ground at Hampden.