Celtic and Rangers could both find themselves under scrutiny from the Scottish Football Association after the dramatic scenes that unfolded at Ibrox on Sunday.
What began as celebrations quickly turned into disorder inside the stadium, and now the governing body is examining whether the events could lead to disciplinary action against both Glasgow clubs.
What happened at Ibrox?
The SFA has confirmed it will review the incidents that occurred following the match.
After Celtic’s victory, several supporters entered the pitch to celebrate with the players. Moments later, a large group of Rangers fans reportedly rushed across the stadium, leading to chaotic scenes inside Ibrox.
With tensions rising, attention has now shifted toward a specific regulation that could determine whether punishments follow.
The rule now under the spotlight
As the investigation continues, SFA Rule 77 has become a key talking point.
Often described as a broad “catch-all” regulation within Scottish football, the rule allows the governing body to address behaviour that could harm the reputation of the game.
Unlike other rules that deal with very specific issues such as player misconduct or stadium regulations, Rule 77 focuses on the wider responsibility clubs have to protect the image of Scottish football.
The rule essentially states that every club, player and official must act in a manner that protects and promotes the best interests of Scottish football at all times.
In the case of Celtic and Rangers, the SFA could rely on this rule to assess whether the events at Ibrox breached that responsibility.
How Rule 77 could apply to both clubs
One area investigators may focus on is the impact the incident may have had on the reputation of the sport.
The match was broadcast live on Premier Sports, meaning the scenes at Ibrox were visible to a wide international audience.
If the SFA determines that the disorder damaged the image of Scottish football, that could potentially lead to disciplinary action against both sides.
Another factor likely to be examined is supporter control.
Under Rule 77, clubs can be held responsible if they fail to properly manage the behaviour of their supporters.
Although Celtic fans entered the pitch to celebrate their team’s win, the pitch invasion itself could still be considered inappropriate conduct under the regulations.
Investigators may also examine whether that moment contributed to the reaction from sections of the Rangers support inside the stadium.
If that view is taken, Celtic could face a charge related to failing to control their supporters, while Rangers might also face accusations linked to maintaining order or ensuring spectator safety.
Possible sanctions the SFA could impose
Should the investigation determine that Rule 77 was breached, the SFA has a range of disciplinary options available.
The severity of any punishment would ultimately depend on the conclusions reached during the review.
Potential sanctions include:
- Restrictions or bans on away supporter allocations
- Significant financial fines
- Partial or full stadium closures
- Mandatory safety and security improvement plans
- Points deductions (considered very unlikely)
At this stage, the most realistic outcome could involve financial penalties or temporary restrictions on away ticket allocations, particularly for future Glasgow derby matches.
What happens next?
For now, the investigation remains ongoing.
The SFA is expected to examine all available evidence from the matchday incidents before deciding whether formal charges will be brought against Celtic, Rangers, or potentially both clubs.
Until then, the fallout from Sunday’s events at Ibrox continues to cast a shadow over one of Scottish football’s biggest fixtures.