- Andrew Cavenagh disputes SPFL ruling over Old Firm allocation changes for Scottish Cup quarter-final at Ibrox.
- Rangers chairman calls for full transparency over decision-making and submitted documents from both clubs.
- Comments come amid ongoing scrutiny of Celtic pitch invasions and crowd control issues at Old Firm matches.
Rangers chairman Andrew Cavenagh has reignited tensions around the fallout from the Scottish Cup quarter-final at Ibrox, revealing the club challenged SPFL rulings over away allocation limits imposed ahead of the fixture.
The comments come against a backdrop of ongoing scrutiny around pitch invasions, crowd control and post-match disorder in Scottish football.
With wider questions now being raised over governance and consistency in decision-making.
Old Firm ticketing debate
In response to the post-match chaos at Ibrox in the Cup clash, Celtic attempted to deny Gers supporters group ‘the Union Bears’ from the final Old Firm derby at Parkhead.
Rangers initially refused this, with Celtic responding by withholding all away tickets from the Ibrox club.
Eventually, the SPFL granted the Gers tickets, but upheld Celtic’s initial decision to ban the ultras group.
Cavenagh confirmed that Rangers opposed attempts to restrict sections of their support for the match.
The Ibrox club arguing the proposal undermined both principle and competitive fairness.
“Celtic gave us notice that they intended to either exclude all of our fans if we didn’t agree to not give tickets to some sections of our fans,” he revealed.
“We fought that, and we fought it on principle.”
He outlined two key objections raised by the club during discussions with football authorities.
“The two principles we were fighting were that one club should not be able to tell another club which of their fans can come to a match,” he added.
“And we also didn’t think that a club should create a sporting advantage through that.”
Andrew Cavenagh calls for SPFL clarity on Old Firm ticketing
As mentioned, Rangers would prove unsuccessful in overturning the decision, leaving the allocation structure in place for the fixture at Ibrox, where visiting supporters were housed in the Broomloan Road stand.
Cavenagh confirmed the club has since requested full transparency over the decision-making process.
“We took that to the SPFL, we got the decision against us,” he said.
“We have now asked the SPFL to release the materials that were submitted by both clubs, as well as the decision,” he said.
He added that clarity was essential not just for clubs, but for supporters and wider stakeholders as Scottish football continues to grapple with repeated crowd-related incidents.
“We think that’s incredibly important, as we talk about the right allocations going forward.” he added.
“It is important that all the clubs, the public, and maybe even the government see the basis of that decision.”
The remarks will be interpreted as part of a wider Rangers push for structural reform in how high-risk fixtures are planned and regulated.
Particularly in matches involving Old Firm opposition where crowd segregation and policing demands are at their most complex.
Celtic pitch invasions under scrutiny
The issue has become increasingly sensitive following a season marked by multiple recent pitch invasions and disorder at major fixtures from Hoops fans.
Added to Ibrox there have been recent incidents at both Parkhead and Fir Park.
The allocation dispute has become closely linked to broader concerns over responsibility and accountability when incidents occur.
Especially around damage costs and supporter control.
The club have previously argued that they should not be left to absorb the financial consequences of incidents arising from away supporter sections.
While also questioning whether existing SPFL frameworks adequately reflect modern matchday risks.
Read Rangers analysis
Cavenagh’s intervention now adds an additional layer of political pressure.
With calls for transparency over SPFL decision-making likely to intensify as clubs review security planning for next season.
While the immediate focus remains on discipline, policing and supporter behaviour, the underlying dispute highlights a deeper structural issue within Scottish football governance.
One that, as this season has shown, is far from resolved.
