adminThe has Scottish football association has appointed experienced event consultant mark blackbourne as the Independent Lead to investigate the disorder that followed the recent Scottish Cup quarter-final between Rangers and Celtic.
Blackbourne, who has extensive experience managing match operations at top-level tournaments for and , will oversee a full review of the events surrounding the clash at on March 8. The match ended in dramatic fashion, with ’s Celtic side securing a 4-2 penalty shootout win, after which a pitch invasion and several other incidents broke out.
The fixture carried added intensity due to recent changes in ticket allocations. For years, away support had been limited to just 750 fans, but a new agreement this season increased that figure. As a result, Celtic supporters were able to fill the Broomloan Stand for this tie—something not seen in almost ten years.
In an official statement, the SFA outlined the broad scope of the investigation. It will examine everything that occurred on match day, both inside the stadium and in nearby areas, including all decisions made before, during, and after the game. The aim is to fully understand the breakdowns and produce recommendations to help avoid similar incidents at future high-risk matches.
The review is already in motion, with Blackbourne holding an initial meeting at alongside representatives from both clubs, Police Scotland, and the Scottish FA.
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