Celtic slapped with Hampden ticket punishment as SPFL reduce ticket allocation for cup clash

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Celtic have been found in breach of SPFL rules following their Premier Sports Cup showdowns at Hampden in November and December, respectively.

Brendan Rodgers’ side lifted the League Cup final on December 15 when Daizen Maeda downed Rangers in an epic showdown that went to penalties.

But kick-off was delayed for three minutes after fans let off pyrotechnics, as Celtic’s League Cup semi-final against Aberdeen was also delayed for the same reasons – this time by 14 minutes.

Those weren’t the only matches delayed because of the supporters’ use of pyros because the same happened for Rangers’ semi-final clash against Motherwell.

All of this has now led to the powers that be punishing Celtic for their actions and how it breached the SPFL rules.

What is Celtic’s punishment for fans’ use of pyrotechnics against Aberdeen and Rangers?

All of this has been a well-documented debate and it has divided opinion as to whether fans should be allowed to use pyrotechnics.

Some believe it makes for a better atmosphere and occasion, but others think it’s unsafe and unhealthy.

And, unfortunately for those who have used them, it’s against the rules and now the SPFL have spoken because Celtic will have a reduction of ‘500 tickets for the next Premier Sports Cup match to be played at Hampden Park’.

And a further ‘800 tickets’ will be reduced if more rules are broken before 30 March 2027.

This is what the SPFL have had to say:

The Commission found Celtic to have breached SPFL Rule H34 in respect of both the semi-final and final of the Premier Sports Cup.

In respect of the breach regarding the semi-final of the Premier Sports Cup the following sanction was imposed:

(i)  A suspended sanction of a reduction of 800 tickets for a future Premier Sports Cup match to be played at Hampden Park in the event of another breach of SPFL Rule H34 through pyrotechnic use by supporters of the Club in any SPFL competition before 30 March 2027.

In respect of the breach at the final of the Premier Sports Cup Final the following sanction was imposed:

(ii) An immediate reduction of 500 tickets for the next Premier Sports Cup match to be played at Hampden Park.

What is the SPFL Rule H34 that Celtic must abide by?

Rules are rules and the fans have to abide by them, or else, Celtic will continue to be punished, regardless of what you think on the matter.

The SPFL have made it clear:

H34: Each Club must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that:

H34.1: its Players, officials, supporters and any person exercising a function for or connected with the Club do not engage in Unacceptable Conduct at a Stadium on the occasion of an Official Match;

H34.2: It identifies any of its supporters who engage in Unacceptable Conduct at an Official Match; and

H34.3: It takes proportionate disciplinary measures in respect of supporters so identified in terms of Rule H34.2.

Given Celtic’s dominance in Scotland, you suspect that it won’t be too long before they are back at Hampden and that could happen as they defend the Scottish Cup this season.

But that won’t count, in regards to the punishment, because it’s not a Premier Sports Cup competition.

But you suspect, all eyes will still be on Celtic, and whichever team reaches the final, and their use of pyrotechnics, because this talking point won’t go away.