Celtic face more Hampden ticket sanctions following pyrotechnics charges

South Wales Guardian

a day ago

The Scottish Professional Football League revealed Celtic, Aberdeen and Partick Thistle face notices of complaint.
In March, Celtic and Rangers were hit with an immediate reduction of 500 tickets for the next Premier Sports Cup match to be played at Hampden as a result of similar offences at the final in December.
The Hoops were also handed a suspended sanction of a reduction of 800 tickets for a future Premier Sports Cup match at Hampden if there were further offences in any SPFL match over a two-year period.
An league statement read: 'During the 2024/25 season the SPFL took disciplinary action against a number of clubs and notices of complaints have now been raised against three clubs in respects of incidents which occurred at the end of the season – Partick Thistle, Aberdeen and Celtic.'
Celtic have been cited over a 'large-scale orchestrated pyrotechnic display' which took place on the final game of the William Hill Premiership season against St Mirren.
The flares were accompanied by a banner directed at chief executive Michael Nicholson which read: 'Fan engagement up in smoke'.
Aberdeen face action after a pyrotechnic display impacted live television coverage of their home game against Celtic in May.
Thistle face action over a delay caused by pyrotechnics, which were then thrown on the pitch, in their play-off win over Ayr at Somerset Park. A pitch invasion which followed Brian Graham's winner was also cited.
The SPFL has called for more widespread use of footballing banning orders by the courts as it outlined the action, which overshadowed the announcement of record attendance levels.
A total of 5,336,353 supporters – a rise of nearly 185,000 on the previous record from last year – watched games in SPFL competitions.
League praises 'phenomenal' supporters – but warns minority of consequences of disorder at matches.https://t.co/4Gza1d5waF pic.twitter.com/1GC2Mk1PGB
— SPFL (@spfl) June 13, 2025
'While the vast and overwhelming majority of supporters are an undoubted force for good in our game, it's been extremely disappointing to see a small number persisting with dangerous, irresponsible and selfish behaviour,' a statement continued.
'Whether that's flares, fireworks, smoke bombs, throwing missiles, or pitch invasions, these actions put staff, supporters and players at risk and are completely unacceptable.
'For example, the incident which saw Aberdeen player Jack Mackenzie left injured at Tannadice Park after a chair was thrown on to the pitch, simply beggars belief.
'The swift cooperation between clubs, supporters and Police Scotland helped identify the alleged perpetrator, who has since appeared in court. This is a model of how our system should work.
'In another recent incident, Livingston quickly issued a lifetime ban to an individual who allegedly spat at a member of the Ross County coaching team, and we commend the club's prompt and decisive action.
'As well as club bans, unwelcome incidents such as these have unfortunately made it abundantly clear that there is a need for far more widespread use of football banning orders (FBOs) and we are encouraged by the progress being made in partnership with our clubs, Police Scotland and the Scottish Government.
'We have been discussing broadening the scope of these orders as part of the Scottish Government's FBO working group and we're extremely pleased to see this was covered in the Programme for Government in May.'
The SPFL update comes a day after clubs voted to introduce similar rules for liability for fan behaviour during Scottish Cup matches.