Celtic blast Rangers 'false equivalence' as SFA called out for stadium closure appeal veto

Celtic's appeal against a stadium closure ban was partially upheld, but the club says the SFA wrongly treated them the same as Rangers despite different circumstances.

Celtic have challenged the Scottish Football Association's decision to impose equal punishments on both clubs following pitch invasions after their Scottish Cup penalty shootout win at Ibrox last season. Fans from both sides invaded the pitch after Celtic's victory, leading to police and stewards intervention. The SFA ordered both clubs to play their next Scottish Cup home game behind closed doors and pay the opposition £100,000 in lost revenue, with a threat of a further closed-door game if fan trouble occurred at any cup match before season's end. Celtic's appeal was partially successful — the conditional further ban has been scrapped — but the club remains dissatisfied. Celtic argue there is a "false equivalence" in the punishment, claiming there was a "very obvious distinction" between the actions of the two sets of supporters and that the club bore no responsibility for stadium safety arrangements, factors they believe should have been recognised in the SFA's decision.