The SPFL is weighing fresh disciplinary charges against Celtic and Rangers after fans of both clubs ignored warnings about the use of pyrotechnics ahead of the Premier Sports Cup final.
Sunday’s final at Hampden was delayed three minutes after fireworks at both ends of the pitch filled the air with acrid smoke.
The SPFL will await the match delegate’s report before deciding what action to take in response to the “unacceptable” pyrotechnics and invasion by fans at the Hampden rink during and after the match.
Two arrests were made, with Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney calling the use of flares “alarming” and describing scenes of pre-match disorder caused by ultra groups in Glasgow city center as “completely and absolutely unacceptable”.
The Green Brigade and the Union Bears clashed on Glasgow’s Argyle Street, throwing flares at each other as Christmas shoppers sought shelter inside shops. A 26-year-old man suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment.
The pyrotechnics continued inside Hampden, despite pre-match appeals to fans from both clubs and coaches Brendan Rodgers and Philippe Clement.
Despite pre-match warnings, both groups of fans came armed with pyrotechnics.
Hampden was a sea of red and orange in the moments before kickoff
Persistent smoke from fireworks caused a three-minute delay in the start
Celtic and Rangers, who were already facing complaint notices over the interruption of the semi-finals earlier this month, now face the likelihood of further charges.
The SPFL has begun reviewing footage from Sunday’s final. Set to face independent disciplinary panels early next year, a new notice of complaint could see both finalists face sanctions ranging from fines to the closure of sections of stadiums for future cup games.
In a statement, the SPFL said: “Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup final was an exciting match, full of twists and turns.” Both teams deserve huge credit for the part they played in one of the most exciting cup finals in recent times. Celtic and Rangers produced a passionate, dramatic display of football from start to finish that showcased the best of our game.
‘However, the SPFL, Police Scotland and the Scottish FA have made it clear that the unauthorized use of fireworks is illegal and unsafe. Therefore, the disruptions that took place before and during Sunday’s match were completely unacceptable and once again led to a delay in the start of the match.
“The SPFL will be liaising with Police Scotland regarding their investigations into this unlawful behavior and these events will also be considered as part of the SPFL’s ongoing disciplinary investigations into both clubs regarding the use of pyrotechnics.
“The SPFL is awaiting the match delegate’s report after the match, which will also consider other matters, including the unacceptable invasion of fans into the Hampden Park pitch area during and after the match.”
Celtic’s semi-final against Aberdeen was delayed 14 minutes after fans of the Glasgow club set off fireworks and flares. The match between Rangers and Motherwell the following day was also delayed by five minutes after both sets of fans lit off pyrotechnics.
Motherwell also received a notice of complaint from the SPFL, with further cases of fireworks in the games between Raith Rovers and Dunfermline and Livingston against Partick Thistle.
Hampden had its own on-field fireworks display which was launched in a controlled manner.
First Minister Swinney has spoken out about the disturbing city center scenes seen in Glasgow.
A ban on the use of pyrotechnics inside stadiums was introduced in Scotland in 2023. Privately, senior figures believe Holyrood could do more to enforce football ban orders. While courts issued 41 banning orders to fans convicted of criminal charges in 2021/22, official figures showed the number dropped to just one in 2023/24.
Despite evidence of the criminal justice system’s failure to quell an unacceptable failure among football fans, First Minister Swinney sought to place responsibility on the two clubs for controlling disorder on the streets of Glasgow.
During a visit to Paisley yesterday, Mr Swinney said: “There was a completely and absolutely unacceptable level of violence by a small minority of football fans involved in yesterday’s match.
“It caused fear and alarm among people who were very happily doing their Christmas shopping in central Glasgow and under no circumstances should it have happened.”
Stating that the two clubs have a responsibility to “take into account the behavior of their fans”, the First Minister absolved Police Scotland of any blame for allowing the scenes to occur, adding: “Police Scotland brought the situation under control.” perfectly and exhaustively.
‘Of course there will be consequential action as a result of these incidents, which is within the remit of the police, but fundamentally this type of behavior is unacceptable. “It is a minority of fans who are involved and it should not be tolerated.”
Both Celtic and Rangers have been contacted for comment.