Celtic will see their SPFL sanction finally kick in next month, with the club set to lose 500 tickets for the League Cup semi-final against Rangers at Hampden on November 2nd.
The punishment dates back to a disciplinary ruling from March, when the SPFL found Celtic in breach of Rule H34 following pyrotechnic use by supporters during last season’s Premier Sports Cup semi-final and final. The Hoops, alongside Rangers and Motherwell, were all found guilty after separate hearings into large-scale pyro displays across the competition.
Sanction Takes Effect at Hampden
Celtic’s immediate punishment was a reduction of 500 tickets for their next Premier Sports Cup match at Hampden Park. That sanction will now be applied for the upcoming semi-final against Rangers, as ticket allocations go on sale.
15th December 2024; Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland; Premier Sports Cup Football Final, Celtic versus Rangers; Callum McGregor of Celtic and Kasper Schmeichel of Celtic as the stands behind fill with flares ad pyrotechnics
The independent commission also imposed a suspended punishment of an additional 800-ticket cut, which would come into effect if there’s another breach before March 2027. The SPFL confirmed that the reduction applies equally to both clubs, with Rangers also losing 500 briefs for their end of the ground.
As reported by CeltsAreHere back in March, the ruling stemmed from pyro incidents at the Celtic v Aberdeen semi-final and the Celtic v Rangers final last season. Both matches saw extensive use of flares and smoke bombs, leading to disciplinary action under SPFL competition rules.
League Cup Semi Builds Up
The latest development adds another layer of spice to what’s already shaping up to be a fierce League Cup semi-final clash. Both sides have their issues and it will be interesting to see if one picks up form before the game goes ahead.
Soccer Football – Scottish Cup – Final – Aberdeen v Celtic – Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – May 24, 2025 Celtic’s Kasper Schmeichel Action Images via Reuters/Craig Brough
There will still be around 21,000 Celtic fans inside the ground so the 500 missing won’t affect the atmosphere on the day, but it does mean 500 Celts who could have been there won’t
Brendan Rodgers’ men will be looking to reach another final as they chase early-season silverware. The worry is, should pyro appear on the terrace for the semi-final, then 800 will be removed, should Celtic get to the final, or their next league cup game.
