Celtic and Rangers failed to overturn a Scottish FA sanction banning supporters from next home Scottish Cup games. The clubs lost their appeals against the punishment following fan trouble at Ibrox. The Scottish FA also upheld a £100,000 fine the clubs must pay their opponents.
However, the threat of a second closed-door match if further trouble occurs before next season has been lifted. The sanction stems from last season's Scottish Cup quarter-final at Ibrox, where fans from both sides clashed on the pitch. Police Scotland arrested 43 people after officers were injured by missiles and pyros.
Celtic called the punishment "excessive and disproportionate," arguing a false equivalence was drawn between different fan behaviors and noting the club had no responsibility for stadium safety. Celtic progressed to the semi-finals with a 4-2 shoot-out victory over Rangers after a goalless draw that sparked a pitch invasion. Following the sanction, Rangers allocated just 300 tickets to Celtic for their League Cup match at Ibrox this month.
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing