The Scottish Football Association have released a statement addressing the possibility of disciplinary action against Celtic defender Julian Araujo following his actions during the fiery clash with Rangers – with clarity emerging over the potential appeal timeline.
The controversial moment unfolded late in the match after a heated duel between Araujo and Tottenham loanee Mikey Moore, who had been locked in a physical battle with the Mexican throughout the contest. Tempers flared near the touchline, and as players gathered in a brief melee, Araujo initially moved away before bouncing back towards the confrontation.
The Mexican – who had been up against the Tottenham loanee all game – then bounced back towards the melee and appeared to grab his crotch area while looking directly at Moore.
That gesture further enraged the young Englishman, who had to be restrained by Callum McGregor, Dane Murray and Djeidi Gassama as tensions threatened to boil over.
Match officials did not issue a red card at the time, but the footage has since circulated widely, prompting calls for retrospective action. In response, the SFA confirmed the incident is being reviewed in line with its established disciplinary procedures.
An SFA spokesperson indicated that the compliance officer has the authority to assess video evidence and determine whether the matter meets the threshold for a Notice of Complaint. If such a notice is issued, Celtic would be formally charged and given a limited window – typically around 48 hours – to respond.
At that stage, the club could either accept the sanction or submit an appeal, which would trigger a fast-tracked tribunal hearing designed to resolve the issue before upcoming fixtures.
The timing is particularly crucial. It won’t be long before both sides meet again, with just under seven days until the next encounter at Ibrox in the Scottish Cup next Sunday. Any suspension handed down swiftly could place Araujo’s availability for that showdown in doubt.
Celtic are believed to be monitoring developments closely and would likely weigh up the strength of any charge before deciding whether to contest it. Given the magnitude of the upcoming fixture, every decision will carry added significance.
For now, no formal ban has been imposed. However, with the SFA’s review ongoing and another Old Firm clash fast approaching, the spotlight remains firmly on Hampden as Celtic await a verdict on whether Araujo will face retrospective punishment – and whether an appeal battle could follow.