Celtic have been handed a suspended seat capacity reduction by the SPFL alongside a financial penalty following the pitch invasion during the Hearts fixture. The Hoops secured a fifth consecutive Premiership title with a 3-1 victory over the Jambos, with Daizen Maeda and Callum Osmand scoring crucial goals late on, as supporters flooded onto the pitch before the final whistle after Osmand's injury-time strike. The Hearts players were ushered down the tunnel to safety and departed the ground still wearing their kits while the Celtic squad celebrated their championship triumph. Celtic, Hearts and the SPFL all criticised the unsavoury scenes that concluded a thrilling title race.
SPFL Statement on Sanctions
The SPFL have now issued a statement regarding the sanction imposed: "A reduction in capacity of 1,000 seats (to be taken from the front rows of the home sections of Celtic Park) for one SPFL match, suspended until 30 June 2028, to be triggered by a significant pitch incursion by home fans at a future home SPFL match. Fine of £7,500." Both the Hoops and Motherwell received suspended sanctions for pitch invasions during the penultimate league fixture for both sides.
Motherwell's Punishment
For Motherwell, the SPFL stated: "Closure of Block E in the East Stand of Fir Park for one SPFL match, suspended until 30 June 2027, to be triggered by either (a) the orchestrated or excessively dangerous use of pyrotechnics by home fans or (b) a significant pitch incursion by home fans, in each case at a future home SPFL match. Fine of £2,500. At least five Motherwell supporters shall be referred to the SPFL Trust's recognised pyrotechnic awareness course."
Additional Celtic Sanctions
For Celtic, the punishment also included: "Reduction of 100 tickets from the club's allocation in one away SPFL match (such tickets to be paid for by Celtic to the home club at the full adult price), suspended until 30 June 2027, to be triggered by either (a) the orchestrated or excessively dangerous use of pyrotechnics by away fans or (b) a significant pitch incursion by away fans, in each case at a future away SPFL match. Fine of £2,500. At least five Celtic supporters shall be referred to the SPFL Trust's recognised pyrotechnic awareness course."
Other Clubs Sanctioned
In the lower divisions, Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Stenhousemuir received suspended stadium sanctions for pitch incursions. Hamilton Academical were handed a £1,000 fine for a pitch incursion during their encounter with Caledonian Thistle. After a playoff victory over Clyde, the club received a formal warning and reprimand for the same breach.
