In a dramatic development that has sent shockwaves through Scottish football, Rangers have released a hard-hitting statement hitting back at the Scottish FA following the independent review into the chaotic scenes during the recent Old Firm clash. The club has strongly condemned the pitch invasion and disorder but has slammed the SFA’s handling of ticket allocations and questioned the fairness of the review process.
The statement, released on July 21, 2026, comes amid ongoing disciplinary discussions and growing tensions surrounding fan behaviour, safety protocols, and accountability in the Scottish game. Rangers have made it clear they will not shy away from their responsibilities while demanding the same level of scrutiny for the governing body.
Full Rangers Club Statement on Scottish FA Independent Review
Here is the complete statement released by Rangers today:
The disorder witnessed that day was unacceptable. The club unreservedly condemns those who forced entry, entered the field of play, engaged in violence, used pyrotechnics or threw missiles, vandalised the stadium, burned tifo materials or directed abhorrent abuse at the victims of the Ibrox Disaster.
We recognise the distress caused to supporters, staff and others affected and the professionalism of the police officers and stewards as they restored order on the day.
Rangers engaged fully with the independent review and accepts responsibility for the areas within the club’s control. We will implement the lessons learned and recommendations required to strengthen our arrangements. We expect the same accountability from others involved.
It is important that the preparations undertaken ahead of that fixture are recognised. First, we asked for the existing agreement between Rangers and Celtic on away ticket allocations for the past two seasons to be respected. We also set out clear safety concerns about departing from that approach, but the increased allocation proceeded. Our operational plan for the match was materially enhanced to reflect the allocation and subsequent risks identified. Our preparations also included increased stewarding and ticket checks, additional resources at turnstiles and exits, revised arrival arrangements and measures to tackle attempted doubling-up and forced entry.
Despite this, our plan, prepared with the authorities, was severely tested by those determined to cause disorder. As a result, the events nevertheless demonstrated that further action is required.
We will put in place measures to strengthen planning and safety for high-risk fixtures.
The Board will oversee the changes and recommendations being implemented.
Supporters will be engaged directly in this work including through the Fan Advisory Board.
Since the match, the club has introduced a supporter conduct and sanctions policy and acted against individuals identified through police investigations and other available evidence.
Ticketing accounts have been suspended while cases are considered, and bans enforced. Serious misconduct will result in serious consequences.
While we support some of the report’s recommendations, we do not accept every finding or factual assertion it contains. We have and will continue to raise concerns with the Scottish FA about significant aspects of the independent report.
We are concerned about the description and limited examination of the decision to allocate around 8,000 tickets to Celtic, which materially changed the risk profile of the fixture. We raised safety concerns but were left in no doubt that the competition rule would be applied and the increased allocation was expected to proceed.
The independent review should have scrutinised the Scottish FA’s actions as robustly as those of clubs and other organisations. This is a significant omission.
The report also proposes a pathway towards a return to full away allocations between Rangers and Celtic. This was not part of the terms of reference of this report and does not reflect our position. We have no plans to restore historic Old Firm allocations at Ibrox.
Instead, we call on the Scottish FA to review its own ticket allocation rules and policies, and how they are implemented, in light of the lessons arising from this match.
The report also raises wider questions about how safety and security are managed across Scottish football. Rangers supports stronger national coordination, structured supporter involvement and more effective legislative powers.
As part of that, we welcome the Scottish Government’s recent consultation on strengthening Football Banning Orders. The police and the courts must have effective powers to address serious misconduct connected to football. We expect tragedy abuse, including abuse concerning the Ibrox Disaster, to be explicitly addressed in any subsequent legislation.
Our focus now is on engaging with the forthcoming disciplinary process and implementing the necessary changes. Scottish football will only reduce the risk of these events being repeated and make progress if every organisation is prepared to examine its own decisions with accountability and a genuine commitment to improvement.
Rangers Draw a Firm Line on Ticket Allocations
In one of the most significant parts of their response, Rangers have firmly rejected any suggestion of returning to the historic full away allocations for Old Firm matches at Ibrox. The club highlighted that they had previously warned about the safety risks associated with increasing Celtic’s ticket allocation to around 8,000. According to the statement, this decision dramatically altered the risk profile of the fixture despite Rangers’ efforts to enhance their operational plan with more stewards, stricter ticket checks, and other safety measures.
As of July 21, 2026, sources close to the club indicate that Rangers are prepared to engage constructively with the upcoming disciplinary process but will continue to challenge aspects of the independent review that they believe unfairly downplay the SFA’s role in the events leading up to the chaos. The pitch invasion, use of pyrotechnics, and reported abuse have drawn widespread condemnation across Scottish football, with many calling for stricter measures to prevent future incidents.
Club’s Actions and Future Plans
Rangers have already taken concrete steps since the match. A new supporter conduct and sanctions policy has been introduced, with ticketing accounts suspended and bans enforced against identified individuals. The club emphasised that serious misconduct will face serious consequences, showing their commitment to improving the matchday experience for all supporters.
The statement also outlines plans to strengthen safety arrangements for high-risk fixtures, with the Board directly overseeing implementation. Supporters will be involved through the Fan Advisory Board, ensuring fan voices are heard in the process of change.
Broader Implications for Scottish Football
This latest development comes at a crucial time for Scottish football. The independent review has sparked intense debate about how major matches are organised, particularly the Old Firm derby, which consistently draws massive global attention but also brings significant safety challenges.
Rangers have called for a wider review of ticket allocation rules and policies by the SFA. They argue that safety and security management across the game needs stronger national coordination, better supporter involvement, and more effective legislative powers. The club has welcomed the Scottish Government’s recent consultation on strengthening Football Banning Orders, particularly the need to address abhorrent abuse related to tragedies like the Ibrox Disaster.
Experts believe this statement could influence ongoing disciplinary proceedings against both clubs and individuals involved in the disorder. As of July 21, 2026, the SFA has yet to issue a detailed response to Rangers’ criticisms, but fans and pundits are eagerly awaiting the next chapter in this saga.
Fan Reactions and What Happens Next
The release of this statement has already generated huge discussion among supporters on social media and forums. Many Rangers fans appreciate the club’s balanced approach — condemning the unacceptable behaviour of those involved in the pitch invasion while standing firm against what they see as unfair treatment in the review process.
Analysts suggest that the coming weeks will be critical. Rangers have committed to implementing recommendations within their control, but they are pushing for equal accountability from the SFA and other stakeholders. The focus remains on preventing any repeat of the distressing scenes witnessed during the match.
This story is developing rapidly. As more details emerge from the disciplinary process and potential government legislation, Rangers’ strong stance in today’s statement could shape the future of how high-risk fixtures are managed in Scotland.