SPFL Upholds Celtic's Old Firm Ticket Ban for Rangers' Union Bears
The SPFL board has backed Celtic's decision to ban Rangers' Union Bears from the Old Firm clash on May 10, though 2,500 away fans can still attend. Learn more about the ticketing dispute and its resolution.
The Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) board sub-committee has made a significant decision regarding the contentious Old Firm away ticket allocation. They have sided with Celtic's stance to ban Rangers' ultras group, the Union Bears, from attending the final Old Firm clash of the season scheduled for May 10. This ruling comes after weeks of disagreement between the two Glasgow giants.
Despite the ban on the Union Bears, the SPFL sub-committee confirmed that approximately 2,500 visiting Rangers supporters will still be permitted to attend the highly anticipated fixture, which is set to be broadcast live on Sky Sports. This aims to balance security concerns with the traditional presence of away fans at the derby.
The dispute arose last month when Celtic and Rangers failed to reach an agreement on ticketing arrangements. Celtic had initially offered the standard five per cent allocation for away fans, but crucially, this offer was conditional on Rangers not selling tickets to the Union Bears, citing past disorder.
This condition followed widespread disturbances at the previous Scottish Cup meeting between the clubs at Ibrox, where fans from both sides clashed on the pitch. These scenes prompted an independent review commissioned by the Scottish FA, highlighting the serious safety concerns that influenced Celtic's decision.
Rangers subsequently rejected Celtic's condition on ticket sales, leading to Celtic's complete withdrawal of the away allocation. The Ibrox club then formally requested the SPFL to intervene and make a determination on the matter.
In their final decision, the SPFL board sub-committee stated they would not overrule Celtic's risk assessment. This upholds Celtic's right to impose conditions based on safety and security concerns, effectively supporting their initial position regarding the Union Bears.