Police Scotland Deems Large Away Allocations Unfeasible for Celtic vs. Rangers Games After Old Firm Pitch Invasion

Police Scotland Deems Large Away Allocations Unfeasible for Celtic vs. Rangers Games After Old Firm Pitch Invasion

In the aftermath of a pitch invasion at Ibrox following Celtic's Scottish Cup quarter-final win over Rangers, Police Scotland has voiced concerns about supporting substantial away fan allocations in future Old Firm fixtures. The incident led to nine arrests, with law enforcement anticipating further detentions.

Chief Superintendent Emma Croft, of Police Scotland's Greater Glasgow Division, emphasized that the force is hesitant to endorse significant visiting fan numbers at upcoming games between Celtic and Rangers. The recent clash at Ibrox, which saw Celtic bring 7,500 supporters, has raised doubts about accommodating such large away followings.

Despite an agreement allowing around 2,500 away fans for the forthcoming Scottish Premiership match at Celtic Park, the larger allocation witnessed at Ibrox is unlikely to be replicated due to safety concerns. Chief Superintendent Croft highlighted the need for caution regarding future crowd management strategies.

When asked about the possibility of repeating substantial away allocations, Croft refrained from making commitments, stating, "Our starting position is that the number of away fans is not workable at the current time." She also acknowledged injuries sustained by several police officers during the unrest, urging for a thorough review of security measures.

The pitch invasion at Ibrox, the first Old Firm game hosting a full Broomloan Stand of away supporters since 2018, prompted swift condemnation from officials. First Minister John Swinney labeled the scenes as "completely and utterly unacceptable," pledging full support to law enforcement in holding accountable those involved in the disturbance.

Chief Superintendent Kate Stephen echoed these sentiments, branding the behavior of certain fans as "shameful" and emphasizing the need for collaboration among clubs, the Scottish Football Association, and Police Scotland to address the incident effectively.

The investigation into the pitch invasion will examine the actions of individuals who breached security measures by entering the Broomloan Road stand without tickets, leading to disruptions and compromising public safety.