SPFL start disciplinary investigations into Celtic v Hearts and other Scottish games

The Scottish Professional Football League have opened disciplinary investigations into several games which took place near the end of the season, including Hearts’ Premiership title decider at Celtic Park. The SPFL are unhappy with supporters’ conduct and are concerned over player safety. They are now looking into circumstances surrounding the pitch invasion at the end of the Celtic-Hearts fixture, plus other instances where fans have entered the field of play.

SNS

Thousands of Celtic followers ran onto the field after Callum Osmand scored the hosts’ third goal after 97 minutes of their 3-1 victory last Saturday. That result ensured Celtic beat Hearts to the league title by two points, but the Edinburgh club’s players were then goaded and accosted by some of those who entered the pitch. Hearts players were ushered off by stewards before leaving the ground under police escort as the Premiership campaign ended in chaos.

Since then, Hearts, Celtic, the SPFL, Police Scotland and the Scottish Government have all publicly condemned the scenes. Celtic issued a statement apologising to Hearts, but the SPFL are now looking into whether disciplinary action should be taken. The governing body are also investigating Celtic’s match at Motherwell three days previously, when Parkhead fans again invaded the pitch following a goal. The other fixtures under scrutiny involve Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Hamilton Academical, Clyde, Stenhousemuir and Alloa Athletic.

An SPFL statement read: “The Scottish Professional Football League has today opened several disciplinary investigations following incidents at recent SPFL matches, including this month’s title-deciding matches involving Celtic v Heart of Midlothian, and Inverness Caledonian Thistle v Hamilton Academical.Season 2025/26 was a season like no other with record-breaking attendances, drama to the final day in every division, and a level of international interest in Scottish football not seen before in the SPFL era.

“The vast majority of supporters that attended SPFL matches did so with the passion and loyalty that makes Scottish football unique and were a credit to their clubs and the wider game. The SPFL has the highest attendances per capita of any league in Europe and the match-day experience is critical for the continued success of Scottish football. It is therefore essential that all supporters, players, and those working at matches, feel safe when attending.

“In recent seasons, there have been a number of incidents at SPFL matches where objects have been thrown at players or members of staff, orchestrated pyrotechnic displays have taken place, and/or mass pitch incursions have occurred. In season 2025/26 the SPFL concluded 11 disciplinary processes against eight clubs for such incidents.These statistics do not include the final match days of the season and the SPFL can confirm that the following matches are being investigated under SPFL Rules H36 and H37:

• Inverness Caledonian Thistle v Hamilton Academical – Saturday 2 May 2026
• Motherwell v Celtic – Wednesday 13 May 2026
• Hamilton Academical v Clyde – Friday 15 May 2026
• Celtic v Heart of Midlothian – Saturday 16 May 2026
• Stenhousemuir v Alloa Athletic – Saturday 16 May 2026

“In addition to these disciplinary processes, there is a continuing need for all stakeholders to work together to address the challenges of Unacceptable Conduct at matches, including pitch encroachments and pyrotechnic use. The SPFL has engaged fully in the Scottish Government’s consultation on football banning orders and awaits the next steps in that process”

The SPFL rules make it clear that clubs have a responsibility when it comes to player safety and supporter conduct. Rules H36 and H37 state:

H36: The Home Club in any Official Match must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable:

H36.1 good order and security;

H36.2 that policies and procedures have been adopted and are implemented to prevent incidents of Unacceptable Conduct;

H36.3 that any incidents of Unacceptable Conduct are effectively dealt with, all at its Stadium on the occasion of an Official Match.

H37: Each Club must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that:

H37.1 its Players, officials, supporters and any person exercising a function for or connected with the Club do not engage in Unacceptable Conduct at a Stadium on the occasion of an Official Match;

H37.2 it identifies any of its supporters who engage in Unacceptable Conduct at an Official Match;

H37.3 it takes proportionate disciplinary measures in respect of supporters so identified in terms of Rule H37.2.