Police separate Celtic and Rangers fans after Ibrox pitch invasion

Police separate Celtic and Rangers fans after Ibrox pitch invasion

Following the Old Firm match at Ibrox, tensions escalated when fans from both Celtic and Rangers invaded the pitch. The situation deteriorated as Rangers supporters became involved in confrontations, with flares being thrown amid the chaos. Police officers and stewards intervened rapidly, forming a barrier on the field to separate the opposing fans and restore order.

Though the disturbance initially appeared intense, the unrest was brief as fans eventually returned to their seats. Images from the scene depicted a strong police presence lined up on the pitch, with flares burning and groups of supporters, some donning black clothing and face coverings, running across the field. The pitch invasion marked a notable event, as it was the first time Celtic fans had been allocated the full Broomloan Stand at Ibrox since 2018, overturning previous restrictions that had limited their numbers to fewer than 1,000.

Historically, around 7,500 Celtic supporters populated the stand during Old Firm derbies, but the numbers have fluctuated over the years due to a series of retaliatory decisions affecting away allocations at both Ibrox and Celtic Park. The Scottish Football Association condemned the pitch invasion, announcing that an investigation would be launched without delay. Scotland’s victims and community safety minister, Siobhan Brown, described the scenes as “unacceptable,” specifically highlighting the dangerous use of pyrotechnics which posed a serious risk of injury.

Regarding consequences, Football Banning Orders (FBOs) in Scotland are currently issued only when fans partake in violence or disorder, barring them from attending matches anywhere in the UK for up to ten years. Both Celtic and Rangers declined to officially comment on the incident when contacted by BBC Sport. In post-match remarks, Celtic manager Martin O’Neill acknowledged the chaotic scenes but deferred detailed commentary, stating he needed time to reflect. Meanwhile, Rangers head coach Danny Rohl said he was unaware of the full situation as he had remained in the tunnel during the events

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