Celtic’s Scottish Cup semi-final build-up at Hampden has been dragged into controversy after Michael Stewart showed exactly how the SFA are now forcing him to work.
The pundit had already been banned from Hampden for the Falkirk vs Dunfermline game after criticising referees during the domestic season.
Coverage continued through alternative arrangements, and ahead of Celtic’s semi-final, Stewart shared the reality of that situation as he broadcast live away from the stadium.
Behind the scenes @BarclaysHampden 🔭 🎙️ 🥸 🤦🏼♂️ pic.twitter.com/56lodHWLIG
— Michael Stewart (@mstewart_23)
April 19, 2026
Banning a pundit over comments about referees: the right decision or setting a dangerous precedent?
Celtic semi-final build-up disrupted by escalating Hampden ban
The situation had already raised eyebrows when Stewart was broadcasting from a production truck outside the stadium.
That workaround has now been removed, with the Premier Sports pundit confirming he has also been banned from the stadium car park ahead of Celtic’s meeting with St Mirren.
The escalation has created immediate disruption, leaving broadcasters scrambling to find solutions for coverage of a major fixture.
What began as a response to criticism has now developed into a sequence of decisions that are directly affecting how the semi-final is presented.
Celtic matchday focus lost as SFA decision raises wider questions
The original decision came after Stewart’s criticism of referees was deemed to cross a line.
He has pushed back, insisting pundits should be able to speak freely without being shut out of their workplace.
That clash is now unfolding in the middle of a Celtic matchday, dragging attention away from the football.
What started as a ban has quickly snowballed, with each new restriction turning it into a bigger talking point.
At Hampden, where the focus should be on reaching a final, the spotlight has shifted elsewhere. The handling of it has ensured the build-up is no longer just about the semi-final.
Instead, it has become a clear example of how quickly control of a situation can slip. Celtic remain at the centre of the occasion, but the noise around it is only growing.
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