Review labels Rangers-Celtic pitch invasion a near miss

An independent review has concluded that a pitch invasion and violent clashes following a Scottish Cup quarterfinal between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox Stadium on March 8 narrowly avoided becoming a "violent mass confrontation" and could have resulted in "life-threatening" injuries. The 37-page report, led by sports event consultant Mark Blackbourne, details systemic failures in planning and security that contributed to dangerous scenes after Celtic's penalty shootout victory.

The report identifies two "near-miss" incidents. The first involved Celtic supporters, including members of the "Green Brigade" ultras group, overwhelming police and stewards outside the stadium on Broomloan Road, creating a "real and foreseeable" crushing risk as they forced entry. The second occurred when hundreds of Celtic fans invaded the pitch to celebrate, prompting an "immediate hostile" counter-invasion by masked Rangers supporters, some armed with poles and reinforced gloves. The review states it took police four minutes and 28 seconds to regain control, a period during which "life-threatening violence was possible," and calls it a "minor miracle" no one suffered serious injury.