Away fans set for final Old Firm derby after SPFL rules on club dispute

The SPFL has ruled in favour of Celtic following a dispute with Rangers over ticketing arrangements for the final Old Firm of the season.

Rangers had asked the Scottish Professional Football League to step in after Celtic refused to give the away support tickets to the derby on May 10 unless the Ibrox club’s Union Bears ultras group was banned.

The row came in the aftermath of disorder at the Scottish Cup quarter-final on March 8, when fans from both clubs entered the Ibrox pitch after Celtic won on penalties.

While the league ruled 5% of Celtic’s stadium capacity should be made available for Rangers fans, they did not overrule the club’s determination that giving Union Bears tickets would pose a security risk.

The SPFL said: “The Sub-Committee then determined that, based on the evidence presented, it would not overrule a risk assessment carried out by the party legally responsible for the safety and security of the event, or interfere with the mitigation measures it considered to be necessary to comply with SPFL Rule H36.

“Having reached that conclusion, the Sub-Committee confirmed that 5% of the stadium was a reasonable allocation for this fixture in terms of SPFL Rule I27.”

As a result, there will be between 2,500 and 3,000 travelling supporters at Celtic Park, excluding the Union Bears supporters group.

It now appears up to the clubs themselves to resolve the matter.

The panel described it as “extremely regrettable” that the clubs were unable to reach an agreement already.

An SPFL spokesperson said: “We note the decision of the independent Sub-Committee.

“We have been consulting with all clubs for months regarding the rules in this area and had achieved consensus that the current deadline of 14 days before a match for a referral to the SPFL Board is insufficient to allow a proper forensic analysis of the circumstances.

“Following discussion at the SPFL’s Rules & Regulations Working Group, we had intended to table a resolution at the June AGM to bring forward the deadline to 35 days prior to a fixture and will now take time to reflect on this decision.”

Rangers had previously said in a statement they had been “clear in condemning the actions” of those involved and had been “attempting to work with Celtic to mitigate any security concerns for the upcoming match”.

In a statement issued on the same day, Celtic said they made a “reasonable request” that tickets not be distributed to a “section of supporters who had very recently and identifiably engaged in serious violence and disorder involving Celtic supporters, staff, police and stewards.”

They added they were “surprised and disappointed” that Rangers have not agreed to the request.

Both clubs have been approached for an updated comment.