CELTIC have responded to decision by the SFA to order the trophy holders to play their next Scottish Cup home tie behind closed doors.
Violence flared in the immediate aftermatch of the Hoops’ 4-2 penalty-kick shoot-out triumph in the quarter-final of the competition in March.
The game ended in a goalless draw after extra-time and the visitors lost the toss and were forced to take the spot-kicks at the home club’s end of the ground.
Over 7,000 visiting fans viewed the drama from the opposite end of the pitch. Martin O’Neill’s men held their nerve as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Auston Trusty and Reo Hatate fired their efforts beyond Jack Butland.
Home captain James Tavernier and Djeidi Gassama blazed their attempts over the bar and on-loan Czech Republic international striker Tomas Cvancara, on loan from Borussia Monchengladbach, rolled in the decisive penalty-kick to give Martin O’Neill’s men a passage into the semi-final.
The winning strike triggered jubilation among the Celtic fans and some spilled onto the field behind the goal pitch which sparked an invasion of the home support who ran the length of the pitch to engage with their rivals.
There were sickening, unruly scenes before order was restored.
Reacting to today’s announcement, a Celtic statement read: “We are shocked by this disproportionate punishment for a relatively small incursion by Celtic supporters at a moment of emotion and celebration.
“Our club has never defended supporters entering the field of play and we have repeatedly taken action when it occurs.
“However, we understand the part emotion plays in football and would have expected the context and distinction in behaviours to have been taken into account by the Panel.
“Another important distinction is that, on this occasion, Celtic were not the home club, responsible for stadium safety arrangements.
“We will study the panel’s report and reasoning when it is available and will thereafter consider our next steps.”
CELTIC HIT BY SFA CLOSED-DOORS BAN
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