Credit: Imago

Harri Burton

Thu 7 August 2025 14:44, UK

Celtic have seemingly escaped harsher punishment from the SPFL after receiving disciplinary action for their fans’ behaviour last season.

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Aberdeen and Partick Thistle are both joined by the Hoops in being handed suspended sanctions following the use of “large-scale, organised and illegal” pyrotechnic displays in May last season.

During Celtic‘s Scottish Premiership clash against St Mirren, the club were found guilty of breaching SPFL Rules H36 and H37, with Sky Sports broadcasters having to apologise for interruptions to the broadcast.

The use of pyrotechnics caused significant smoke clouds within the stadium, which blocked the view of many watching from home, and even for some of those watching from that segment of the ground.

This article contains exclusive comments from ex-PGMOL chief, FIFA official and former professional referee Keith Hackett.

The SPFL confirmed that Brendan Rodgers‘ side have been handed a suspended reduction of 200 tickets in the north-east corner of Celtic Park, which will be triggered through the use of pyrotechnics.

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Partick Thistle and Aberdeen have also been given suspended sanctions, having used pyrotechnics and a pitch incursion, which delayed games further.

Celtic were in trouble earlier in the season against Bayern Munich due to a delay in kick-off, which saw the club fined over £8,000 and Rodgers being given a suspended one-match touchline ban.

Now, the Hoops are at the centre of more drama, this time with the SPFL, but one experienced figure believes that the current punishment is sending the wrong message to the rest of the league.

(Credit: Imago)

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the punishment, the former referee, Keith Hackett, said: “I do not believe that suspended sentences have the appropriate effect as a deterrent.

The offences with flares have taken place and are a potential safety risk to fans and participants on the field of play.

“The SPFL should, in my opinion, have taken a much stricter approach and closed off that part of the stadium, where they have evidence that breaches have taken place.

Keith Hackett has called for harsher punishment.

“They should also have offered help and advice on what actions can be taken to stop these flares from entering the stadium.

Clearly, at the moment, they are failing to address the problem.

“It’s too lenient by the SPFL, with what has gone off.
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