An independent review into crowd disorder at the Old Firm Scottish Cup quarter-final at Ibrox in March has delivered a damning assessment of all parties involved, including Rangers and Celtic, the Scottish FA, SPFL, and Police Scotland. The 37-page report warns that the "ugly scenes" nearly escalated into "violent mass confrontation." Lead author Mark Blackbourne criticized the current disciplinary frameworks, stating that fines are insufficient and that sanctions are "too modest, too deferred and too inconsistently applied." He advocates for immediate crowd number restrictions as a primary sanction for serious incidents, rather than fines or suspended sentences.

The report details a "wholly inexcusable" pitch invasion by Celtic fans, followed by a hostile counter-invasion by Rangers supporters, noting it was a "minor miracle that no-one suffered serious injury." It highlights operational failures, including a lack of a police plan for fans outside the stadium and a steward accepting payment to allow fans entry. The review also identifies concerns regarding the control of Ultras groups, describing them as exhibiting "internal hierarchy, coordinated planning, operational security awareness, and the use of intimidation," requiring an "intelligence-led, multi-agency response."

Blackbourne concludes that Scottish football is experiencing an "upward trajectory of recorded unacceptable conduct," citing pyrotechnics, objects thrown, pitch incursions, and anti-social behaviour as a persistent trend, not a statistical fluctuation. The report questions whether football authorities have the "will to use" existing disciplinary powers, such as points deductions or expulsion, to enforce change and prevent future disorder.