Old Firm Clubs Face Backlash Over Silence Following Ibrox Violence
Rangers and Celtic have come under intense scrutiny for their continued silence regarding the disgraceful scenes that erupted following Sunday's Scottish Cup quarter-final at Ibrox Stadium. The match, which ended goalless after 120 minutes before Celtic secured victory on penalties, descended into chaos as dozens of visiting supporters spilled onto the pitch. This prompted scores of Rangers fans to leave the Copland Road end and advance toward the halfway line.
Police Intervention and Widespread Condemnation
Caught between rival factions, many of whom were members of ultras groups hurling missiles, police officers were forced to establish a cordon to restore order. The flashpoint, now under investigation by both Police Scotland and the Scottish Football Association (SFA), has been widely condemned by politicians, PFA Scotland, safety officers, and former players. Despite the incident tarnishing the reputation of Scottish football, neither club has issued any official statement expressing disapproval of the events that unfolded.
This match marked the first in eight years to host 7,500 Celtic fans, reminiscent of pre-2018 allocations for Glasgow derbies. A long-standing dispute had previously limited away supporters to between zero and 800 at league games at Parkhead and Ibrox. An agreement brokered by the SPFL last year increased this to 2,500-3,000, but Chief Superintendent Emma Croft has cast doubt on maintaining such numbers for future derbies.
Police Response and Arrests
Chief Superintendent Croft emphasized that the current allocation is unsustainable, stating, "We need to start working through the numbers. But what I would categorically say is that that number of away fans for a Glasgow derby is not sustainable." So far, nine arrests have been made, with more anticipated as investigations continue. Three men have been charged following an alleged attack on a fan on a bus in Glasgow's Helen Street, captured on footage.
Three police officers sustained injuries, a figure expected to rise as more reports come in. Shockingly, a 10-year-old boy was also struck by a coin during the disturbances. Chief Superintendent Croft appealed to fans, saying, "If you want to be a fan, whether it be an ultra or a regular fan of your club, then I'm just asking you please abide by the rules and general societal norms. I know you don't have to portray that level of hatred and behaviour at a football match." She also highlighted concerns about fans wearing masks and balaclavas, which are prohibited in stadiums and hinder police identification efforts.
Political and Union Reactions
Scotland's First Minister, John Swinney, condemned the violence unequivocally, stating, "The violence after the Old Firm game yesterday at Ibrox was completely and utterly unacceptable - there is no justification for it whatsoever." He pledged full support for police investigations and emphasized collaborative efforts with clubs and the SFA to prevent such incidents.
Fraser Wishart, chief executive of PFA Scotland, expressed alarm that fans invaded the pitch before players had safely exited. "Player safety is not optional. It is not negotiable. A footballer's workplace is the pitch," he asserted. Wishart warned of escalating risks for professional footballers in Scotland and called for stronger protections, accountability, and increased sanctions. He advocated for wider use of Football Banning Orders for violent or abusive behaviour, noting that this issue extends beyond the Old Firm to incidents across the country.
As investigations proceed, the silence from Rangers and Celtic continues to draw criticism, raising questions about their commitment to addressing fan behaviour and ensuring safety in Scottish football.
