The dispute stems from March's Scottish Cup match, where violence erupted after Celtic fans invaded the pitch following a penalty shootout and Rangers' Union Bears retaliated, according to the Ibrox club. Celtic supporters also vandalised the Broomloan Stand and sprayed graffiti mocking the Ibrox disaster, Rangers added. Celtic cited safety concerns for banning the Union Bears, though specifics were not disclosed.
Rangers asked the SPFL to intervene after Celtic insisted tickets would only be issued if the group was excluded, effectively banning the Union Bears; the group later said it would not take part in the allocation. An SPFL sub-committee heard the case on Thursday, the league confirmed, and Rangers said it declined to overrule Celtic's stance. The Ibrox club called the decision wholly unsatisfactory and claimed it set a worrying precedent.
We are deeply disappointed with the SPFL’s decision to accept the ultimatum placed upon our ticket allocation for the game on May 10. It sets a concerning precedent with potentially lasting consequences for the league and match-going fans, cutting across the spirit of the competition and disregarding the established agreement on away allocations between clubs. In light of the SPFL’s decision, the Union Bears have volunteered that they do not wish to be included within the club’s ticket allocation for this fixture. Our club, our supporters and the reputation of Rangers will continue to be defended robustly while the Scottish FA’s independent process regarding the events on March 8 runs its course. This is a defining match at a crucial stage of the season, and it is important that Rangers supporters are present to back their team. We will therefore take up the allocation available to us. Our focus now turns to the matches ahead, on the field and off it, working with all relevant stakeholders to ensure they are delivered safely, fairly and professionally.
Rangers noted that the March match was the first Old Firm derby since 2018 with a full away allocation of over 7,500, and claimed Police Scotland lacked adequate resources to control the disorder. It remains unclear whether Rangers will challenge the SPFL ruling further, and Celtic has not disclosed specific safety concerns.