Rangers are facing the prospect of significant sanctions, including a potential fine or partial stadium closure, following the disorder that marred their Scottish Cup defeat to Celtic.
The Gers exited the competition via penalty shootout after a tense but largely uneventful quarter-final at Ibrox on 8 March. Yet the match itself became secondary to the chaos that unfolded afterwards, as supporters from both clubs flooded onto the pitch at the final whistle.
The Scottish FA has launched a formal investigation into the disturbances, and former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett predicts the hosts will shoulder the heaviest burden of any punishment handed down.
Speaking exclusively to Ibrox News, Hackett outlined the severity of the situation: “The home club are responsible for the safety and security of fans and liaise with the Police Commander responsible for security and the policing of the event. There is a great deal of discussion and planning before games.
“The Scottish FA within hours of the game announced a full investigation. I am also sure that the Government will have expressed their concern. The scale of punishment will be towards the top end, which may include sanctions of fines and the risk of ground closure or parts of the ground closed off.”
Hackett also warned that restrictions could extend beyond financial penalties or capacity reductions. The longstanding arrangement allowing away supporters at Old Firm fixtures, only recently restored, now hangs in the balance. “Restrictions may also revert back to away fans at Old Firm Derby games being banned,” he noted. “What happened was not good for the image of the game or safety of supporters.”
The timing could hardly be worse for Rangers. The club already holds the unwanted record for the largest fine ever issued by the Scottish FA, having been penalised in 2013 for their role in the undisclosed player payment scheme involving Employee Benefit Trusts.
Sunday’s match represented a significant milestone, marking the first time substantial numbers of Celtic supporters had been permitted at Ibrox since 2018. The Hoops faithful, who once numbered 7,500 strong at Govan, saw their allocation slashed to roughly 1,000 in recent years as both clubs prioritised season ticket demand. Several fixtures proceeded entirely without away fans before a carefully managed five per cent allocation with enhanced security measures was approved for March 2025.
The fixture deserved an atmosphere befitting its fierce reputation, but the subsequent pitch invasions have likely destroyed any progress made. Future allocations now appear certain to shrink, with the experiment of increased away support almost certainly abandoned before it could become established.