Celtic Withholds Rangers Away Tickets on Safety Grounds

Celtic Football Club has withheld away ticket allocations for Rangers supporters ahead of their crucial Scottish Premiership match on May 10 at Celtic Park, following failed negotiations over fan safety concerns stemming from recent violence between the rivals.

The decision arises from disorder during the Scottish Cup quarterfinal at Ibrox on March 8, where Rangers were eliminated by Celtic on penalties. Supporters from both sides clashed on the pitch after the final whistle, leading to assaults on police, stewards, coaching staff, and fans. Several arrests were made, and an independent review by the Scottish Football Association has been launched to examine the incidents. Celtic's move specifically targets the Union Bears, a Rangers ultras group identified as involved in the unrest.

Celtic informed Rangers on Thursday that the usual allocation of around 2,200 seats would only be provided if the visiting club agreed not to distribute tickets to Union Bears members, based on a risk assessment prioritizing attendee safety. Rangers rejected the condition, stating it unfairly singled out a section of their support. In a club statement, Rangers emphasized their commitment to match...