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The Scottish Football Association has published an independent review into the disorder that surrounded the Scottish Gas Men’s Scottish Cup quarter-final between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox on March 8, 2026, with the governing body warning that the scenes witnessed “should have no place in our game.”
The review, led by Mark Blackbourne, examined the planning, preparation and delivery of matchday safety, security and medical operations before, during and after one of Scottish football’s biggest fixtures.
The investigation aimed to establish the facts surrounding events inside Ibrox Stadium and the surrounding area, assess the responsibilities of all stakeholders involved, identify weaknesses in matchday operations and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents occurring in the future.
Scottish FA Chief Executive Ian Maxwell thanked Blackbourne for producing what he described as a “comprehensive independent review” and confirmed the governing body would consider all recommendations.
“On behalf of the board I would like to thank the Review Lead, Mark Blackbourne, for producing such a comprehensive independent review and accompanying recommendations, which we will consider in full and seek to implement stated recommendations in conjunction with relevant stakeholders,” Maxwell said.
“Whilst this is now a live matter for an independent Judicial Panel to consider, the Scottish FA wishes to reiterate that the scenes witnessed during the cup tie, and subsequently investigated by our Review Lead, should have no place in our game.”
The fixture was marred by serious disorder, including reports of forced entry, pitch invasions, violence, missile throwing, pyrotechnic use, vandalism and offensive behaviour, including abuse directed towards victims of the Ibrox Disaster.
The Scottish FA confirmed that its Compliance Officer has also issued Notices of Complaint relating to the match, with disciplinary proceedings now set to follow.
Rangers Accept Responsibility But Challenge Findings
Rangers confirmed it had received the independent review and condemned the behaviour of those involved in the disorder.
“The disorder witnessed that day was unacceptable,” the club said in a statement.
“Rangers unreservedly condemns those who forced entry, entered the field of play, engaged in violence, used pyrotechnics or threw missiles, vandalised the stadium, burned tifo materials or directed abhorrent abuse at the victims of the Ibrox Disaster.”
The club acknowledged the impact on supporters, staff and matchday personnel, while praising the response of police officers and stewards who helped restore order.
Rangers said it had cooperated fully with the review and accepted responsibility for areas under its control, committing to implement recommendations aimed at improving safety arrangements for high-risk fixtures.
The club also outlined preparations made ahead of the match, including increased stewarding, enhanced ticket checks, additional turnstile and exit resources, revised arrival plans and measures designed to prevent attempted ticket misuse and forced entry.
However, Rangers argued that its operational plans had been severely tested by individuals intent on causing disruption.
“Despite this, our plan, prepared with the authorities, was severely tested by those determined to cause disorder,” the club said. “As a result, the events nevertheless demonstrated that further action is required.”
Dispute Over Celtic Ticket Allocation
While Rangers accepted some of the review’s recommendations, the club said it did not agree with every finding or conclusion.
A major point of disagreement centred around the decision to allocate approximately 8,000 tickets to Celtic supporters for the fixture, which Rangers argued significantly altered the risk profile of the match.
The club claimed it had raised safety concerns regarding the increased allocation and questioned why the Scottish FA’s role in the decision was not examined more extensively.
“We are concerned about the description and limited examination of the decision to allocate around 8,000 tickets to Celtic, which materially changed the risk profile of the fixture,” Rangers stated.
“The independent review should have scrutinised the Scottish FA’s actions as robustly as those of clubs and other organisations. This is a significant omission.”
Rangers also rejected any suggestion that the fixture could return to previous away ticket allocation arrangements between the two clubs, stating that it has “no plans to restore historic Old Firm allocations at Ibrox.”
Instead, the club called on the Scottish FA to review its own ticketing policies and procedures following the events of March 8.
New Measures and Future Safety Plans
Since the match, Rangers said it has introduced a supporter conduct and sanctions policy, suspended ticketing accounts linked to investigations and enforced bans against individuals found responsible for serious misconduct.
The club added that the board would oversee implementation of further safety measures, with supporters involved through the Fan Advisory Board.
The Scottish FA said it would work alongside the SPFL, Rangers, Celtic, Police Scotland and the Scottish Government to ensure future high-risk fixtures can be staged safely.
Maxwell added that the governing body wanted to reassure the majority of supporters who attend matches responsibly that major occasions should remain safe and enjoyable.
The publication of the review now moves the matter into an independent disciplinary process, with potential sanctions for those found responsible expected to be considered in the coming weeks.
Both the Scottish FA and Rangers acknowledged that preventing a repeat of the scenes witnessed at Ibrox will require greater cooperation, stronger supporter engagement and accountability across all areas of Scottish football.
Featured Image Credit: Unsplash / Winston Tjia
Source Credit: www.rangers.co.uk
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