The Scottish Football Association (SFA) has mandated that Celtic and Rangers must hold their next home Scottish Cup matches behind closed doors following violent incidents involving fans at a quarter-final match in March. The clashes occurred at Ibrox Stadium after Celtic secured a 4-2 victory in a penalty shootout. Supporters from both clubs, some wearing masks, invaded the pitch and set off flares. This fixture marked the first time in eight years that Celtic received a full allocation of 7,500 away tickets.

In addition to the stadium closures, the SFA ordered both clubs to pay £100,000 each in compensation to their upcoming visiting opponents. The governing body also stated that a second match closure for either club would be imposed if further disturbances occur at any Scottish Cup fixtures before the conclusion of the 2027-28 season.

Celtic responded with a statement expressing surprise at what they termed a “disproportionate punishment for a relatively small incursion.” The club emphasized that it has never condoned fans entering the pitch and has consistently taken action against such behavior. Celtic's statement also noted an acknowledgment of the emotional nature of football but argued that the context and differences in supporter conduct should have been considered in the disciplinary decisions.

An independent review conducted last month highlighted failings on the part of both clubs regarding crowd control and criticized the SFA for not adopting a sufficiently rigorous approach to managing fan unrest. The report’s findings underscored ongoing challenges within Scottish football related to supporter behavior and the enforcement of regulations aimed at maintaining safety during high-profile matches.