Door Closed on Traveling Support for Glasgow Derby?
The fallout from the pitch invasion heard ’round the world continues.
Last March, Celtic and Rangers played in a Scottish Cup quarterfinal at Ibrox. The match wasn’t easy on the eyes for many reasons. It was an ugly affair that ended in a 0-0 draw before Celtic won on penalties.
However, the real ugliness began after the final whistle, when supporters of both clubs invaded the pitch. Projectiles were thrown. A Celtic staffer was allegedly accosted.
The Full Scottish
Served by Brian P. Dunleavy
An independent report into the incident suggested that “life-threatening violence” was narrowly avoided. Scores were arrested inside and outside Ibrox.
The issue, at least according to footballing pundits and law enforcement authorities, was that, due to Scottish Cup rules requiring a 15% allocation for traveling support, there were 7,500 Celtic fans in the stadium that day.
Now, for both Glasgow clubs, the next Scottish Cup tie will have far fewer supporters in attendance.
In fact, there will be none.
The Scottish Football Association (SFA) has ruled that both clubs must play their next Scottish Cup tie, likely in the fourth round of the competition in mid-January, behind closed doors.
That will be the case whether or not the two sides are drawn together.
In theory, the SFA’s ruling shouldn’t affect the first league Glasgow derby of the season, on September 13th, again at Ibrox, but both clubs are already posturing on the issue of traveling support even 10 days out, with Celtic manager Martin O’Neill saying that if Rangers only allow in 300, say, Hoops supporters on the day it might as well be zero.
A bit extreme, that, but the Irishman has a point.
“It’s one of the great fixtures—even if the teams are not of the standard of, let’s say, Paris St-Germain or Real Madrid,” he told the press. “And the best atmosphere is when the away fans have their allocation.”
Based on our experience, we have to agree.
With Scottish football quickly becoming an afterthought in Europe again, the sport needs the Glasgow derby in all its glory.
The authorities (footballing and otherwise) need to get this sorted so that the derbies can carry on—safely!—with the full force of a full support.