Quick Read
- Hundreds of fans from both Rangers and Celtic invaded the pitch after the Scottish Cup quarter-final.
- Fireworks and objects were thrown, and a Celtic staff member was reportedly attacked during the chaos.
- The disorder occurred despite an increased away fan allocation, potentially jeopardizing future larger allocations.
GLASGOW (Azat TV) – The Scottish Cup quarter-final clash between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox erupted into chaos at full-time on Sunday, as hundreds of fans from both clubs invaded the pitch following Celtic’s penalty shootout victory. The disorder saw objects and fireworks thrown between supporters, with stewards and police struggling to restore order and separate rival fans.
Pitch Invasion and Confrontations
The intense derby match concluded with scenes of bedlam as Celtic fans spilled onto the field in celebration after Tomas Cvancara scored the decisive penalty. Simultaneously, Rangers supporters attempted to confront their rivals, leading to a significant pitch invasion. Eyewitnesses reported that a large number of fans were present on the pitch, with one Rangers supporter seen being apprehended by police for attempting to approach Celtic players and fans. The confrontation also involved players and staff members, with Premier Sports commentator Rory Hamilton reporting that a member of Celtic’s coaching staff was attacked by a Rangers supporter. Hamilton described the scenes as “lunacy” and an “ugly, ugly end to what has been a superb game of football.”
Player Involved in Altercation
Tomas Cvancara, Celtic’s penalty shootout hero, appeared to be caught up in the post-match scuffle. He was observed with blood on his shirt while conducting his post-match interview, underscoring the intensity and physical nature of the disturbances that followed the match. This incident occurred despite an increased allocation of away fans for the fixture, with Celtic granted 7,500 tickets for the Broomloan Stand, a departure from previous derbies where they had a significantly smaller presence. The hope was that this larger allocation could lead to a permanent return of full away support for Old Firm matches, but the chaotic scenes have likely undermined this prospect.
Security Response and Outside Chaos
Police and stewards eventually managed to restore order on the pitch after masked Rangers fans rushed from the Copland end towards their Celtic counterparts. Pundit Michael Stewart commented on the “ugly scenes” but acknowledged that the situation was eventually managed. However, the disorder extended beyond the stadium, with reports of riot vans and mounted police being deployed to the area outside the Broomloan Stand to manage crowds. Missiles, including a bottle of Buckfast, were also reportedly thrown over police barriers, indicating continued unrest outside the ground.
The volatile nature of the post-match events, including the pitch invasion and physical altercations, raises serious questions about security protocols at Old Firm derbies and the potential impact on future fan allocations and matchday experiences.