NafisaCeltic have hit back at the Scottish FA after their appeal against the Scottish Cup stadium closure was only partially successful, insisting that the governing body has failed to recognise what they describe as a crucial difference between their supporters’ actions and those of Rangers fans.
The Scottish Cup holders remain furious that they have been handed the same central punishment as their Old Firm rivals following the chaotic scenes at Ibrox in March, when supporters from both clubs invaded the pitch after Celtic’s penalty-shootout victory in the quarter-final.
Although the SFA’s Appellate Tribunal has removed additional suspended sanctions against both clubs, the requirement for Celtic to play their next home Scottish Cup match behind closed doors remains in place.
Celtic have now publicly challenged the decision, describing the comparison between the two clubs’ conduct as a “false equivalence” and arguing that the circumstances surrounding the incidents should have been treated differently.
The statement represents a fresh escalation in the dispute, with the club making clear that the partial success of their appeal has done little to ease their frustration over the punishment.
Celtic Accuse SFA Of Drawing A ‘False Equivalence’
In a strongly worded statement following the appeal outcome, Celtic made clear that they remain unhappy with the decision to impose the same stadium-closure punishment on both clubs.
The club said: “While we recognise that our appeal has been partially upheld, we remain extremely disappointed by this excessive and disproportionate punishment relating to an incursion by supporters at a moment of emotion and celebration.
“It continues to be our view that a false equivalence has been drawn in relation to the very different actions of two groups.
“We have not defended supporters entering the field of play and understand the part emotion plays in football. We would have expected this context and the very obvious distinction in behaviours to have been recognised.
“Additionally, the fact that Celtic Football Club had no responsibility for stadium safety arrangements also seems to have been disregarded in establishing these sanctions.”
The statement shows that Celtic’s main objection is not simply the stadium closure itself, but the decision to treat both clubs similarly despite what they believe were significant differences in the supporters’ behaviour and the circumstances surrounding the disorder.
Celtic have accepted that supporters should not have entered the pitch, but they argue that the emotional context of their fans’ actions and the club’s lack of responsibility for stadium safety arrangements should have been given greater consideration.
The SFA, however, has maintained the requirement for Celtic’s next home Scottish Cup fixture to be played without supporters.
How The Ibrox Disorder Led To The Ban
The disciplinary proceedings followed the Scottish Cup quarter-final between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox in March.
Celtic progressed after winning a penalty shootout, but the result was overshadowed by pitch invasions involving supporters from both sides.
Police and stewards were forced to intervene as tensions rose, while Police Scotland confirmed that 43 arrests were made in connection with the incident.
The SFA subsequently imposed sanctions on both clubs, including a requirement for their next home Scottish Cup matches to be played behind closed doors. Each club was also ordered to pay £100,000 in compensation to the opposition to cover lost revenue.
Both clubs appealed against the decisions, hoping to overturn at least part of the punishment.
The Appellate Tribunal ultimately partially upheld both appeals, removing the additional suspended stadium closure and suspended compensatory payment while retaining the immediate stadium bans.
The compensation arrangements were also amended so that neither club must pay the £100,000 to the other if they meet as opponents in the affected fixture. The payment remains applicable if another club is the visitor.
Despite those changes, Celtic remain dissatisfied with the central punishment.
Celtic And Rangers Still Face Empty Stadiums
The decision means Celtic and Rangers will both have to play their next home Scottish Cup matches behind closed doors.
The consequences will become clear once the clubs discover their opponents in the next round. If Celtic receive a home draw, supporters will be unable to attend the match at Celtic Park.
The same applies to Rangers if they are drawn at Ibrox.
For Celtic, the frustration is compounded by their belief that the governing body has failed to distinguish adequately between the actions of the two groups of supporters.
Their statement makes clear that they consider the punishment excessive and disproportionate, even though the appeal has resulted in the removal of the additional suspended sanctions.
The club’s criticism is a challenge to the reasoning behind the disciplinary decision rather than a reversal of the outcome itself. The stadium closure remains in force.
Hampden Decision Leaves Dispute Unresolved
Celtic’s statement has ensured that the argument over the Ibrox disorder will continue beyond the appeal hearing.
The club has secured some relief by having the additional suspended punishments removed, but its demand for greater recognition of the differences between the two groups’ actions has not resulted in the immediate stadium ban being overturned.
The SFA’s decision leaves both Glasgow rivals facing the same central restriction in the Scottish Cup, despite Celtic’s insistence that the circumstances should not have been treated as equivalent.
For supporters, the next-round draw will determine whether their team must contest its next home cup fixture in an empty stadium.
For Celtic, however, the wider issue remains unresolved. The club has made its position clear: it accepts that its supporters should not have entered the pitch, but believes the SFA failed to account properly for the context and differences in behaviour when imposing its sanctions.
Nafisa
