GLASGOW, Scotland: Fans of Celtic F.C. and Rangers F.C. clashed at Ibrox Stadium on Sunday after Celtic beat their Glasgow rivals in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals, with supporters invading the pitch and throwing flares in ugly scenes.
Celtic won 4-2 in a penalty shootout after the match ended goalless following regular time in front of about 50,000 spectators at Rangers’ home ground in Glasgow.
Objects were thrown between groups of supporters, some with their faces covered, prompting police and stewards to form a barrier between the fans as players quickly left the pitch.
Chief Superintendent Kate Stephen condemned the incident in a statement on the Police Scotland website, describing the scenes as “shameful” and confirming that several arrests had been made.
“Officers and members of the public have been injured in this despicable display and I want to express my thanks to all officers and staff deployed,” Stephen said.
“A number of arrests have already been made, and Police Scotland will now work with both clubs and the Scottish Football Association to carry out a robust investigation following the scenes on the pitch at the conclusion of the match.”
The Scottish Football Association also condemned the behaviour and said it would launch an investigation.
For the first time in eight years, Celtic had been given a full allocation of 7,500 away tickets for the match. The Glasgow derby, known as the “Old Firm,” is one of football’s oldest and most intense rivalries, dating back to 1888 and long fuelled by political and religious divisions.
