Rangers and Celtic face SPFL charge after Hampden incident in League Cup final
Rangers and Celtic are likely going to be charged by the Scottish Football Association for the use of pyrotechnics before the Scottish League Cup final at Hampden Park, Keith Hackett has said.
Both sets of supporters set off pyro as the Old Firm rivals lined up for the showpiece event at the home of Scottish football on Sunday 15 December. (Sun Sport Twitter).
The Gers have been punished in the past for their use of pyro, receiving two separate fines from UEFA for their use in games against Malmo and Lyon (BBC Sport).
Interim chairman John Gilligan issued a plea at the time for supporters to stop the use of the pyro, but the Gers, Celtic and Motherwell were handed a charge from the SPFL for using flares during the League Cup semi-finals (BBC Sport).
And Hackett, a former FIFA referee, can only foresee one outcome after their latest use.
Speaking exclusively to Ibrox News, he said: “The first question to ask is how do fans get these into the stadium?
“I have no doubt that the SPFL will charge both clubs with regard to the use of these flares inside the stadium.”
Plenty of flashpoints before Rangers v Celtic League Cup final
Earlier in the day, the Scottish Sun shared photos of skirmishes between supporters and police in the build-up to kick-off at Hampden.
The newspaper’s online reported described the scenes as “ugly” and said a supporter in a mask had squared up to police outside Glasgow Central Station.
Edinburgh News’ Barry Anderson also posted footage of what went on.
Hackett added: “It was not a good start leading up to kick-off with fighting in the streets and now flares inside the stadium.”
In other Rangers news, Neil Lennon blasted a “madness” he saw in the final against Celtic.
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