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Celtic, Rangers and Motherwell charged for cup pyro displays as SPFL crack down on 'totally unacceptable' show

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - NOVEMBER 03: Rangers fans hold up pyrothechnics delaying kick off due to poor visibility during a Premier Sports Cup semi-final match between Motherwell and Rangers at Hampden Park, on November 03, 2024, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group)
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Celtic, Rangers and Motherwell have all been charged by the SPFL for their 'totally unacceptable' displays in the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals last month - after fans of all three clubs let off pyrotechnics at Hampden Park in their respective ties.

Rangers faced off against Motherwell in a 2-1 win over the Fir Park outfit, with both fans putting on smoke bomb displays at the national ground - and that came just one day after Celtic supporters did the same in their 6-0 drubbing of Aberdeen at the same venue.

Celtic have already been warned by UEFA for a display against Borussia Dortmund earlier in the season, with the club being hit with a £16,700 fine and a suspended one-game away fan ban for using pyros in Germany - but now they're being reprimanded by authorities at home, alongside their local rivals and Well fans.

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A statement from the SPFL lambasted the trio, reading: "The SPFL can today confirm Celtic, Motherwell and Rangers have been charged with a breach of SPFL rules following the behaviour of their supporters at the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals.

"It was fantastic to have over 80,000 supporters attend last month’s semi-finals, however, the large-scale, organised and illegal pyrotechnics displays which were carried out by a small minority of supporters before the Celtic v Aberdeen and Motherwell v Rangers matches were totally unacceptable.

"This irresponsible behaviour by a minority of fans led to a 14 minute delay to Celtic v Aberdeen, a 5 minute delay to Motherwell v Rangers and caused significant inconvenience to thousands of fans at the game and to supporters watching worldwide.

"The SPFL, Scottish FA, Police Scotland and other organisations have been clear that such use of pyrotechnics is illegal and poses clear dangers and health and safety risks to fellow supporters, players and those working at matches.

'There have been a number of complaints from supporters about these incidents and the SPFL and Scottish FA have been in ongoing discussions with the clubs involved in the weeks since the semi-finals.

'The SPFL can now confirm that Celtic, Motherwell and Rangers have all been issued with formal notices of complaint under SPFL Rule H34 and each club will face a disciplinary hearing.

"Preparations are ongoing ahead of the Premier Sports Cup Final between Celtic and Rangers at Hampden Park next week, as the SPFL prepares to welcome a capacity crowd for one of the highlights of the Scottish sporting calendar.

"The SPFL and Scottish FA will continue to work closely with the finalists in the build up to this showpiece occasion to reinforce the importance of ensuring a safe and enjoyable match day experience for all supporters, in the context of what is now an ongoing disciplinary process."