Celtic Condemns Scottish FA's Disproportionate Cup Punishment

Celtic have condemned as “disproportionate” the Scottish FA’s decision to order their next Scottish Cup home tie to be played behind closed doors, after a pitch incursion by supporters.

The punishment follows a “relatively small” number of fans entering the field of play during emotional post-match celebrations, a context the club believe has been ignored by the governing body’s panel.

In a strongly worded statement, Celtic said they were “shocked” by the scale of the sanction, stressing that while they do not excuse supporters going onto the pitch, the incident did not merit such a severe response.

“Our club has never defended supporters entering the field of play and we have repeatedly taken action when it occurs,” the statement read, underlining that Celtic consider their own disciplinary record and internal measures to be firm.

The club also pointed to what they see as a crucial detail: they were not the home side on the day in question and therefore were not responsible for the stadium’s safety arrangements. That distinction, they argue, should have carried significant weight in any ruling.

Celtic added that they “understand the part emotion plays in football” and believed “the context and distinction in behaviours” would have been factored into the panel’s decision.

The club will now wait for the full written reasons behind the verdict. “We will study the panel’s report and reasoning when it is available and will thereafter consider our next steps,” the statement concluded, leaving open the possibility of a formal challenge to a decision that will silence Celtic Park for their next Scottish Cup home tie.