Celtic will see their Hampden allocation cut by 500 tickets for their next cup tie at the national stadium after the SPFL handed down sanctions for pyrotechnic use by supporters. The same punishment applies to Rangers, while Motherwell received a suspended penalty.
The decision follows incidents during Celtic’s League Cup semi-final against Aberdeen and the final against Rangers, where flares and other pyrotechnics were set off in the stands. An independent panel found all three clubs guilty of breaching SPFL Rule H34, which prohibits the use of pyrotechnics in stadiums.
As well as the immediate 500-ticket reduction, Celtic and Rangers have also been given a suspended sanction. If their supporters are caught using pyrotechnics at any SPFL competition before 30 March 2027, their Hampden allocations will be cut by a further 800 tickets for a future League Cup match. Motherwell, having been found guilty of only one offence, received a suspended penalty but avoided an immediate reduction.
Celtic could return to Hampden this season if they beat Hibernian in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals this Sunday. The impact of the sanction is likely to be minimal, with home cup ticket scheme (HCTS) members still expected to secure seats. However, the decision does highlight growing concerns from the authorities over fan behaviour at major fixtures.
This ruling is unlikely to deter pyro use significantly, given that demand for tickets at Celtic games far outweighs supply. The club and supporters’ groups may challenge the effectiveness of the punishment, particularly as pyro remains a widespread feature of modern football fan culture.
