SPFL will not overrule Celtic in derby ticket row

Breaking news from the world of sport: SPFL will not overrule Celtic in derby ticket row Image source, SNS Image caption, Rangers and Celtic supporters at Celtic Park in December By Chris McLaughlin Scotland sports news correspondent Published 28 minutes ago The SPFL has backed Celtic in a row over the allocation of away tickets for this month's final Old Firm meeting of the season with Rangers. Celtic offered Rangers around 2,400 tickets for the 10 May Scottish Premiership fixture, on condition none of the seats would be made available to the Union Bears fans group Rangers said they could not agree to the terms and referred the matter to the SPFL board. A sub-committee concluded it would "not overrule" a risk assessment carried out by Celtic, who claim the Union Bears were in part responsible for disorder following the Scottish Cup quarter-final between the two clubs at Ibrox in March, which Celtic won on penalties.

Celtic will not sell the offered Rangers allocation to home fans and the SPFL say it is now for the Ibrox club to decide if the allocation will be taken. The cup game was the fourth meeting of the sides this season at either Celtic Park or Ibrox to feature away supporters, following a period of no away allocations. However, the Scottish Cup tie had more away fans - 15% - because of the rules of that competition.

Match Details

Hibs fan views won't affect Celtic game - O'Neill Published 1 hour ago Rangers ready for must-win Hearts game - Rohl Published 2 hours ago Rangers fans face ban for derby amid dispute with Celtic Published 6 days ago A Scottish FA investigation, led by sports event consultant Mark Blackbourne, has yet to report to the governing body on the cup tie. The Ibrox club stressed they had "been clear in condemning the actions of certain individuals on 8 March" and had been "attempting to work with Celtic to mitigate any security concerns for the upcoming match". Rangers added that, for the forthcoming match that will help decide who wins a three-pronged title race involving leaders Hearts and the two Old Firm sides, "the removal of away supporters from one of the defining fixtures of the competition would introduce a clear and material sporting imbalance".

Celtic had demanded the exclusion of a section of the Rangers support they say "identifiably engaged in serious violence and disorder". The club expressed "surprise and disappointment" that Rangers had not agreed to the request and that they were happy to hold discussions with their rivals and the league body. The defending champions added their "priority will always be the safety of those attending Celtic Park and, following a detailed risk assessment with regards to the forthcoming match, the club has made a reasonable request of Rangers FC that tickets are not distributed to a section of supporters which very recently and identifiably engaged in serious violence and disorder involving Celtic supporters, staff, police and stewards".

The story has climbed to the top of the sports agenda, with fans and analysts following closely.