No away fans for SPFL Old Firm matches this season

What the report says

BBC Sport Football reported that Celtic and Rangers will not admit away supporters for their Scottish Premiership and Premier Sports Cup derbies this season. The arrangement was agreed after talks between the Glasgow clubs and the Scottish Professional Football League, and is described as temporary while officials consider recommendations from an independent review.

The decision follows disorder around the Scottish Cup quarter-final at Ibrox in March, when police and stewards had to intervene after pitch incursions by both groups of fans. The Scottish Football Association had already announced last month that the clubs’ next Scottish Cup home matches must be played behind closed doors. Rangers and Celtic are due to meet twice soon, first at Ibrox in the cup on 13 September and then at Celtic Park in the league a week later.

According to the SPFL statement quoted by BBC Sport, the change is intended to give the clubs, Police Scotland and other stakeholders time to work through the review’s findings and plan future fixtures more thoroughly. The league also said the move should reduce uncertainty over ticketing and help supporters understand matchday arrangements in advance.

More broadly, Old Firm matches have long been regarded as high-risk fixtures because of the intense rivalry and heavy policing involved, but BBC Sport said this season’s decision is specifically linked to recent safety concerns and the ongoing review process.