NafisaThe SPFL has initiated disciplinary investigations into incidents stemming from five matches across the final weeks of the season, with Celtic involved in two of the cases.
Scottish football’s governing authority confirmed that enquiries are now underway following fixtures involving Inverness Caledonian Thistle against Hamilton, Motherwell versus Celtic, Hamilton against Clyde, Celtic against Heart of Midlothian and Stenhousemuir against Alloa Athletic.
The governing body stated that the action comes after rising concerns over supporter conduct at matches, highlighting recent incidents in which “objects have been thrown at players or members of staff, coordinated pyrotechnic displays have taken place, and/or large-scale pitch invasions have occurred.”
According to the SPFL, 11 disciplinary cases involving eight clubs were finalised during the 2025/26 campaign, although this figure does not include incidents from the last round of fixtures, including the title-deciding encounters between Celtic and Hearts and Inverness and Hamilton.
In a statement issued on Friday, the SPFL said: “The Scottish Professional Football League has today opened multiple disciplinary investigations following incidents at recent SPFL matches, including this month’s title-deciding matches between Celtic and Heart of Midlothian and Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Hamilton Academical.
“Season 2025/26 was a campaign like no other with record-breaking attendances, drama to the final day in every division, and a level of international attention in Scottish football not seen before in the SPFL era. The vast majority of supporters who attended SPFL matches did so with the passion and loyalty that makes Scottish football unique and were a credit to their clubs and the wider game.
“The SPFL has the highest attendances per capita of any league in Europe and the match-day experience is critical for the continued success of Scottish football. It is therefore vital that all supporters, players, and those working at matches, feel secure when attending.
“In recent seasons, there have been a number of incidents at SPFL matches where objects have been thrown at players or members of staff, coordinated pyrotechnic displays have taken place, and/or mass pitch invasions have occurred. In season 2025/26 the SPFL concluded 11 disciplinary proceedings against eight clubs for such incidents.
“These statistics do not include the final match days of the season and the SPFL can confirm that the following matches are being investigated under SPFL Rules H36 and H37:
• Inverness Caledonian Thistle v Hamilton Academical – Saturday 2 May 2026
• Motherwell v Celtic – Wednesday 13 May 2026
• Hamilton Academical v Clyde – Friday 15 May 2026
• Celtic v Heart of Midlothian – Saturday 16 May 2026
• Stenhousemuir v Alloa Athletic – Saturday 16 May 2026
“In addition to these disciplinary processes, there is an ongoing requirement for all stakeholders to work together to address the challenges of Unacceptable Conduct at matches, including pitch encroachments and pyrotechnic use. The SPFL has engaged fully in the Scottish Government’s consultation on football banning orders and awaits the next steps in that process.”
Nafisa
