No away fans for SPFL Old Firm matches this season

WHAT HAPPENED
The SPFL, Celtic and Rangers have agreed a temporary ban on away supporters at Old Firm meetings in both the Scottish Premiership and the Premier Sports Cup for this season. The decision follows talks between the two Glasgow clubs and the league.

The move comes after an independent Scottish FA review into disturbances at last season’s Scottish Cup quarter-final at Ibrox, where police and stewards had to intervene when fans invaded the pitch.

KEY CONTEXT
The cup quarter-final in question took place on 8 March and ended with a penalty shootout; approximately 8,000 visiting fans were in attendance. That number was significantly higher than recent Old Firm league attendances because Scottish Cup ticketing arrangements differ from league fixtures. Rangers had earlier offered to limit the away allocation for the upcoming cup tie to 300 supporters, a proposal Celtic rejected. Separately, the Scottish FA has ordered that both clubs play their next Scottish Cup home matches behind closed doors.

WHY IT MATTERS
Removing away fans from the Old Firm fixtures alters the usual matchday dynamics for two of Scotland’s biggest clubs and affects supporters’ access to those games. The restriction is framed as a safety and security measure and is intended to create time and space for authorities and clubs to respond to the independent review’s findings and recommendations. It also seeks to provide clearer, more predictable ticketing arrangements in the short term.

WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
The temporary arrangement will remain in place while the clubs, the SPFL, Police Scotland and other stakeholders assess the independent review and plan next steps. The immediate upcoming fixtures affected are Rangers v Celtic in the Premier Sports Cup on 13 September and the league meeting at Celtic Park a week later. The key questions to follow are how long the ban will last, what actions result from the review, and whether future fixtures will return to normal away allocations once those steps are completed.

KEY FACTS
- No away supporters will be allowed at Celtic v Rangers fixtures in the Premiership or Premier Sports Cup this season (temporary measure).
- The decision followed talks between Celtic, Rangers and the SPFL and relates to an independent Scottish FA review.
- Around 8,000 visiting fans attended the 8 March Scottish Cup quarter-final at Ibrox, an unusually large figure for an Old Firm game.
- Rangers offered a 300-ticket away allocation for the forthcoming cup tie; Celtic rejected that offer.
- The Scottish FA has ordered both clubs to play their next Scottish Cup home games behind closed doors.