Celtic and Rangers await SFA tribunal decision on stadium closure sanctions

Rangers and Celtic are awaiting a ruling from the Scottish FA’s appellate tribunal on their appeals against a requirement to play their upcoming home Scottish Cup matches behind closed doors.

The Glasgow clubs presented their arguments on Monday, and the tribunal will now deliberate before deciding whether the sanctions remain in place.

The penalty ordering matches to be played behind closed doors was imposed in late August following disturbances at the end of last season’s quarter‑final at Ibrox, which Celtic won on penalties.

Both clubs are also contesting fines of £100,000 after fans clashed on the Ibrox pitch.

Supporters launched fireworks and other projectiles, injuring police officers and leading to 43 arrests by 25 August.

Both clubs were warned that a second home match without supporters could be imposed if further unacceptable conduct occurred.

A July independent review concluded that the incident “came within a very small margin of becoming a violent mass confrontation”.

The report, led by Mark Blackbourne, highlighted failures by both clubs and criticised the SFA for not adopting a tougher stance on crowd disorder.

In September an agreement was reached to exclude away fans from all Old Firm derbies in this season’s SPFL competitions.

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