SPFL Bars Away Supporters from Old Firm Fixtures This Season

This season, Celtic and Rangers will face each other without any away supporters in both the Scottish Premiership and the Premier Sports Cup.

The temporary measure was agreed upon after discussions between the two Glasgow clubs and the Scottish Professional Football League.

The decision comes after an independent review commissioned by the Scottish Football Association examined the disorder that occurred during last season’s Scottish Cup quarter‑final at Ibrox, where both sets of supporters were involved in pitch invasions and disturbances.

Rangers will welcome Celtic to Ibrox for the Premier Sports Cup clash on 13 September, with the league encounter scheduled for the following week at Celtic Park.

Rangers had suggested limiting the away attendance to 300 fans for the upcoming cup match, but Celtic declined the proposal.

The disturbances on 8 March followed Celtic’s penalty‑shootout victory, during which approximately 8,000 away fans were in attendance.

That number far exceeds the typical away crowds seen in recent Old Firm league matches, partly because the Scottish Cup operates under different ticketing regulations.

Last month, the Scottish Football Association announced that both clubs must stage their next Scottish Cup home ties without any spectators.

Announcing the measures, the SPFL stated: “This temporary arrangement will give the clubs, the SPFL, Police Scotland and other stakeholders the opportunity to properly review the independent report’s findings and recommendations, implement the required actions and allow adequate time to plan future fixtures. It will also bring greater certainty for fans and match‑day organizers, eliminating repeated confusion over ticket allocations for individual games. All parties have pledged to work constructively during this period, with safety and security remaining the top priority.”

Source link