NafisaRangers fans have been left furious after a decision was taken that will dramatically change the atmosphere surrounding the Old Firm meetings for the remainder of the season.
The SPFL has confirmed that away supporters will be banned from all league and cup fixtures between Rangers and Celtic under its competitions for the rest of the 2026/27 campaign.
The decision means supporters who have followed their clubs across Glasgow for generations will now be unable to attend the corresponding away fixture, with the Rangers Fan Advisory Board describing the outcome as a poor one for supporters and Scottish football.
It comes after the extraordinary scenes that followed Celtic’s Scottish Cup quarter-final penalty shootout victory at Ibrox on March 8, when supporters from both clubs entered the pitch and clashes broke out.
The Scottish FA subsequently commissioned an Independent Review into the disorder, with its findings and recommendations now playing a major role in the latest restrictions.
Rangers and Celtic had previously agreed that five per cent of available stadium capacity would be allocated to travelling supporters for their meetings.
However, Rangers proposed reducing the Celtic allocation to 350 supporters for next weekend’s Premier Sports Cup quarter-final at Ibrox.
Celtic rejected that proposal and requested an SPFL determination, leading to discussions involving both clubs, the league body and Police Scotland.
The eventual outcome was far more severe.
Rather than simply reducing the number of travelling supporters, the SPFL confirmed that there would be no away fans at any SPFL fixture involving Rangers and Celtic for the remainder of the season.
The Rangers Fan Advisory Board has now made its feelings known, insisting supporters are being punished for circumstances they believe should not result in an entire season without away allocations.
A statement read: “The Rangers Fan Advisory Board is deeply disappointed by today’s outcome which effectively bans away supporters from Old Firm matches for the remainder of the season.
“Our position is clear: Rangers supporters should be able to follow their team to every match. The absence of away fans is a poor outcome for supporters, for the fixture and for Scottish football as a whole. This is the showpiece fixture of Scottish football and it is poorer without away supporters. It should not take an entire season to find a solution that allows supporters to safely attend these matches.
“We recognise that supporters will hold differing views on how we arrived at this point. From the FAB’s perspective, Rangers has acknowledged the findings of the Independent Review, accepted accountability where appropriate and taken steps to address them. However, despite the events of 8 March and the recommendations that followed, Celtic’s refusal to accept accountability for its role in what occurred, or take responsibility for the significant damage caused at Ibrox, has once again left Rangers supporters paying the price. It’s only right that the club took a stand against this failure to accept accountability.”
The criticism was not directed solely at Celtic.
The Rangers FAB also questioned the role of the SPFL, arguing that the league body had failed to find a workable solution that would allow supporters to attend safely.
The board believes the decision has ultimately shifted the consequences of the dispute onto ordinary supporters.
The statement continued: “We are also disappointed, albeit not surprised, that the SPFL has allowed the situation to reach this point. Supporters should not be left to bear the consequences of an inability, or unwillingness, to find a workable solution. In any other industry, regulators regulate; whereas in Scottish football fans are left again to suffer the consequences of inaction. An entire season without away supporters cannot be considered a satisfactory outcome for Rangers supporters or for Scottish football as a whole.
“As a result, our loyal supporters will be denied the opportunity to back their team away from home. That is the true cost of today’s decision.
“The FAB will continue to champion the interests of Rangers supporters and press for a safe, workable and permanent solution that ensures Rangers fans can follow their team home and away.”
The decision is particularly significant because of the unique atmosphere surrounding Rangers-Celtic fixtures.
With no travelling support permitted, both sets of supporters will lose the opportunity to attend an Old Firm match at the opposition’s stadium, removing one of the most recognisable features of the fixture.
The SPFL, however, has stressed that the arrangement is temporary.
The league body said the restrictions will give Rangers, Celtic, Police Scotland, the SPFL and other relevant parties time to consider and act upon the Independent Review’s findings.
It also argued that the decision provides greater certainty for matchday planning and ticketing arrangements throughout the remainder of the campaign.
Importantly, the SPFL has not completely closed the door on changing the position.
It confirmed that the arrangement could be reviewed if circumstances “materially change” during the season.
Any arrangements for meetings between Rangers and Celtic beyond the current campaign will also be considered well in advance of the 2027/28 season.
For now, though, the message is clear.
Rangers and Celtic will continue to meet, but the travelling supporters who have traditionally made the Old Firm such a distinctive fixture will be absent.
And for the Rangers Fan Advisory Board, that is precisely why the latest decision represents a punishment being felt most heavily by the supporters themselves.
Nafisa
