Celtic and Rangers appeal SFA sanctions after pitch clashes; Old Firm match held without away fans

Celtic and Rangers have lodged appeals against the Scottish Football Association decision that requires both clubs to play their next home Scottish Cup ties behind closed doors, and Sunday’s Scottish Premiership match at Celtic Park was staged without Rangers supporters.

The sanctions also include fines of £100,000 for each club linked to clashes between supporters on the pitch at the end of last season’s Scottish Cup quarter-final at Ibrox, when Celtic progressed after a penalty shoot-out. Both clubs were warned they could be required to play a second home match without spectators if further unacceptable conduct occurs.

Neither club has commented on their appeals, but Celtic issued the following statement at the time of the sanctions: "We are shocked by this disproportionate punishment for a relatively small incursion by Celtic supporters at a moment of emotion and celebration. "Our club has never defended supporters entering the field of play and we have repeatedly taken action when it occurs. "However, we understand the part emotion plays in football and would have expected the context and distinction in behaviours to have been taken into account by the panel. "Another important distinction is that, on this occasion, Celtic were not the home club, responsible for stadium safety arrangements."

Both clubs admitted the original SFA charges, and Rangers said they "would consider the outcome in full before determining their response." Police Scotland made 43 arrests after fans clashed and officers and stewards were injured following the final whistle in March, with objects and pyrotechnics also thrown.

An independent review commissioned by the Scottish FA concluded that a "crushing incident was a real and foreseeable risk" because of "non-compliant Ultra group fans surging past police and stewards." Earlier this month an agreement was reached to allow no away supporters at any Old Firm derbies in this season's SPFL competitions.

Appeal hearings before the governing body have been scheduled for Monday, 26 October, as the next formal stage in the process.