Rangers vs Celtic: SFA investigation launched after Old Firm derby chaos as fans invade pitch | OneFootball

Scottish Football Association condemn behaviour from supporters after carnage follows Scottish Cup quarter-final at Ibrox

The Scottish Football Association (SFA) have launched a swift investigation as they quickly condemned the ugly post-match scenes that followed Sunday’s dramatic Scottish Cup tie between rivals Rangers and Celtic.

Hundreds of fans from both clubs invaded the pitch at Ibrox following a tense Old Firm derby clash in the quarter-finals, which finished 0-0 after extra time before Celtic triumphed 4-2 in a nervy penalty shootout.

Tomas Cvancara struck the winning spot-kick after earlier misses by Rangers captain James Tavernier and Djeidi Gassama.

Supporters at both ends spilled on to the pitch and skirmishes broke out as objects were thrown and flares lit, with police and stewards forming a barrier to keep them apart before order was eventually restored.

“The Scottish FA condemns the behaviour from supporters entering the field of play following today's Scottish Gas Scottish Cup Quarter-Final at Ibrox Stadium,” the SFA said in a statement.

“An investigation will be carried out immediately in line with the Judicial Panel Protocol.”

Sunday’s game was the first Old Firm derby since 2018 in which a full stand at Ibrox was allocated to away fans, with 7,500 Celtic supporters in attendance as Scottish Cup rules stipulate that the away club must be offered 20 per cent of the tickets.

Just over 2,000 Celtic fans were at Ibrox last weekend as Rangers and Celtic played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in the Scottish Premiership, with limited away allocations having resumed since last year following a period between 2023-25 in which no away fans attended the derbies at all amid a dispute between the clubs over ticketing arrangements.

“I’m honest, I was not on the pitch in this moment. I didn’t see it until now,” Rangers boss Danny Rohl said in his post-match press conference when asked about the trouble that followed the penalty shootout.

“I think we all know the emotional situation after a game. Nobody likes to see this. It was a great atmosphere for 120 minutes and I think it should be like this.

“All the other things should not be in the stadium or around football.”

Speaking to Premier Sports, Celtic counterpart Martin O’Neill said: “Yeah [the Celtic players and backroom staff are okay]. It looked as if there were a few tete-a-tetes, anyway, as much as anything else. It's unfortunate. But hopefully it doesn't dilute the performance.”

He added: “That may well be [that the post-match scenes become the story]. I need to have a think about it at the end of the day.

“Old Firm games, they are explosive. They always have been. Maybe that’s one of the reasons why the derby is one of the best in the world.”

Asked if there was now a worry that there won’t be another full away allocation in the Old Firm derby for some time, O’Neill replied: “I would certainly hope not.

“It was only a cup game for a start, so I don’t know what the SPL will be thinking about at the end of it all.

“You're asking me a lot of political questions here at this moment when I'm in a euphoric state.

“The fans have spilled over, big scenes there at the end, scenes all over the place. It’s not me diminishing it at all, I will have a think about it and speak to you in due course.”