Rangers could face severe financial penalties if a Glasgow politician succeeds in changing matchday security legislation for public spaces around stadiums.
Taxpayer spending on the Glasgow derby surged to £231,364 last season, an alarming leap from the £69,718 recorded during the 2023/24 campaign. The national constabulary paid £444,030 to cover 12 fixtures between September 2023 and May 2026.
Labour MSP Paul Sweeney insists clubs must take responsibility for civic order outside their grounds. Sweeney declared: “The root of this imbalance lies in our current legal framework. Under Section 86 of the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012, Police Scotland is restricted to charging clubs for services provided on land owned or occupied by the clubs.”
Sweeping Law Change Proposed
Despite recent efforts to resolve a fraught away ticket allocation dispute, Sweeney wants legislation to shift broader security costs onto high-revenue teams.
He noted: “The Scottish Premiership is a wealthy league. With Celtic’s annual turnover recently reported to have reached £143.6 million, and Rangers following as the second wealthiest, I agree with senior police leaders across the UK who are advocating for a more balanced ‘polluter pays’ approach.”
Temporary Away Supporter Ban
A complete ban on visiting supporters for derby matches has been agreed for the current campaign, following pitch invasions at Ibrox during the Scottish Cup quarter-final in March.
While fans continue to debate a controversial Ibrox penalty validation, this temporary measure is expected to dramatically reduce immediate security outlays.
However, any long-term legislative shift would permanently alter the financial obligations outside the boundaries of Ibrox Stadium. Derek McInnes must momentarily put aside these off-field matters as his squad prepares to host St. Mirren on Wednesday.
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