CELTIC AND RANGERS ORDERED TO PLAY NEXT HOME SCOTTISH CUP MATCH BEHIND...

Celtic and Rangers have each been ordered to play their next home Scottish Cup fixture behind closed doors following crowd trouble at a quarter-final match at Ibrox in March. An independent review found that "crushing" and "life-threatening violence" were narrowly avoided after supporters from both clubs stormed the pitch during Celtic's penalty-shootout victory. Dozens of arrests followed clashes between fans on the playing surface after Rangers supporters confronted Celtic supporters who had spilled onto the pitch in celebration.

Both clubs admitted charges of failing to prevent "unacceptable conduct" at a Scottish Football Association disciplinary hearing held on 13 August. The punishment includes £100,000 compensation payments to opponents for loss of gate receipts and applies only to each club's next home Scottish Cup fixture. A further disciplinary rule states that any repeat of crowd trouble in the Scottish Cup within two seasons will trigger another closed-door punishment.

Celtic issued a statement describing the sanction as "disproportionate" following what it characterised as a "relatively small incursion" by supporters at a "moment of emotion and celebration". The club noted it was not the home side responsible for stadium safety arrangements. Rangers had not issued a public response at the time of reporting. The next Old Firm fixture scheduled — a Scottish League Cup quarter-final on 13 September followed by a Premiership match on 20 September — will not be affected by the closed-doors order.