SPFL recommend 5% ticket allocation for Rangers as Old Firm derby dispute shifts to clubs

The Scottish Professional Football League has confirmed that Rangers should receive a reasonable allocation of five per cent of tickets for the upcoming Old Firm derby against Celtic, though the governing body has not mandated the provision. This recommendation follows a contentious dispute where Celtic initially refused to sell away tickets unless the Union Bears group was excluded from the away section due to safety concerns arising from recent disorder at Ibrox.

An independent SPFL sub-committee reviewed the case and determined that overruling Celtic's risk assessment was not appropriate, confirming the 5% figure as reasonable under league rules. The league body noted that it would not interfere with mitigation measures considered necessary by the party legally responsible for the safety and security of the event under SPFL Rule H36.

The matter now rests with the clubs to resolve the specific conditions for ticket distribution. A reciprocal agreement exists between the two clubs requiring each to allocate around 5% of their stadium to the away club in SPFL matches, but the home club remains responsible for safety and security. Celtic has expressed willingness to offer the amount of tickets they had undertaken to provide in their reciprocal agreement, subject to the condition regarding the exclusion of the specific section of supporters being agreed.

This dispute arises in the aftermath of widespread disorder at the Scottish Cup quarter-final between the sides at Ibrox on 8 March, where spectators from both sections entered the pitch. Celtic has demanded the exclusion of a section of Rangers supporters they claim identifiably engaged in serious violence and disorder, while Rangers argued that removing away supporters from one of the defining fixtures of the competition would introduce a clear and material sporting imbalance.

The fixture is crucial as it helps decide a three-pronged title race involving league leaders Hearts and the two Old Firm sides. An independent Scottish FA investigation led by sports event consultant Mark Blackbourne is ongoing, with the report yet to be published, meaning the sub-committee did not have the benefit of any lessons to be learned from that match when considering the matter.

The SPFL intends to table a resolution at the June AGM to change the deadline for referring ticket allocation disputes from 14 days to 35 days prior to a fixture, aiming to allow for better forensic analysis of circumstances. The league body noted that the referral to the SPFL Board for a determination was made just 16 days before an important league fixture at a time of intense scrutiny on the Scottish game.