The SPFL has backed Celtic in a ticket allocation dispute with Rangers for their May 10 Old Firm derby, declining to overrule the home club's risk assessment. Celtic offered 2,400 tickets to visitors but demanded none be allocated to the Union Bears fan group, citing safety concerns following March disorder at Ibrox. Rangers refused the conditional offer, prompting the SPFL sub-committee to uphold Celtic's position and confirm 5% of seats as a reasonable allocation.

The decision follows a contentious season between Scotland's two most fervent rivals, with the latest fixture carrying major title race implications alongside Hearts. A Scottish FA investigation into March's Scottish Cup quarter-final violence remains unresolved, though Celtic pointed to Union Bears' involvement in fan disorder. The SPFL emphasized that the home club bears legal responsibility for safety under Rule H36, while confirming the 15% away attendance at the March cup tie exceeded standard allocations.

Rangers coach Danny Rohl expressed disappointment but indicated willingness to accept the offer, stating he could only "cross my fingers and hope" for fan representation. The outcome leaves the Ibrox club weighing whether to proceed with the allocated tickets, as the May 10 match sits at the heart of a three-way title battle. With Celtic having won both previous league encounters and the March cup fixture, the latest chapter in this heated rivalry carries heightened significance.

The SPFL's ruling reinforces the principle that safety assessments by home clubs take precedence, setting a precedent for future fixture management. While the immediate crisis is resolved, tensions remain high between supporters, and the broader debate over fan safety versus access continues to simmer ahead of what promises to be a decisive conclusion to the season.