Suspended seat reduction for Celtic pitch invasion

Celtic face the prospect of losing 1,000 spectators for a home Scottish Premiership match if there is a repeat of the pitch invasion that followed their title-clinching victory over Hearts in May. In what was a final-day decider, fans streamed out of the stands after Callum Osmand raced clear to make it 3-1 in the seventh minute of stoppage time. Hearts left the stadium immediately, with players still in their kits, citing a "menacing and threatening atmosphere inside the stadium", with Celtic later issuing an apology. Announcing the outcomes of disciplinary action taken against several clubs in relation to unacceptable conduct by fans, the SPFL has fined Celtic £7,500 and issued a penalty suspended until 30 June 2028, which would be triggered by a "significant pitch incursion". Celtic were also fined £2,500 for their fans entering the pitch and using pyrotechnics in the previous game away to Motherwell, which was settled in their favour by a 99th-minute penalty from Kelechi Iheanacho. In this case, Celtic have been told they will lose 100 tickets from their allocation to one away match in the league, suspended until 30 June 2027. Motherwell were cited for the same offences in the same fixture and will too pay a £2,500 fine. The Fir Park club will have block E in the East Stand closed for one match if there is a repeat of such behaviour before 30 June 2027. Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Hamilton Academical must each pay £1,000 for fans entering the field of play in their 2 May meeting in the Highlands. The host club will have half of their North Stand closed for a league game, with the threat of punishment suspended until 30 June 2028. Hamilton were also reprimanded and given a formal warning for a pitch invasion at home to Clyde on 15 May. And Stenhousemuir face a reduction in capacity of 150 seats at Ochilview Park for one match, again suspended until 30 June 2028, after supporters celebrated promotion to the Championship on the Alloa Athletic pitch on 16 May.