SPFL bans Old Firm away fans for rest of season

Celtic and Rangers will have no away supporters at their Scottish Professional Football League matches for the remainder of the 2026/27 season. The agreement follows disorder during their Scottish Cup quarterfinal at Ibrox on March 8, including a pitch invasion, clashes between supporters and fireworks thrown as police and stewards restored order. Rangers had proposed reducing Celtic’s allocation for the September 13 Premier Sports Cup tie to 300 tickets from an agreed allocation of roughly 2,500, but Celtic rejected the proposal and sought an SPFL ruling. The SPFL said the temporary ban will give the clubs, Police Scotland and other stakeholders time to address an independent review’s recommendations and plan future fixtures, with safety and security the priority. Celtic manager Martin O’Neill called the decision sad and effectively inevitable, while Rangers manager Derek McInnes said derby matches are better with visiting supporters but acknowledged that supporter behavior standards must be met.