CELTIC have denied having any knowledge or involvement in the police operations that took place before the Old Firm derby on March 16.
The Scottish champions received a large number of complaints from supporters after almost 100 fans were denied entry for the fixture amid police concerns.
They were refused access into the game after refusing to be searched for weapons and pyrotechnic devices outside the stadium.
Celtic fell short in the derby fixture as Rangers ran out 3-2 winners, with Hamza Igamane netting a late winner.
Cops were given special powers ahead of the game which allowed them to stop and search fans who they believed to be under ‘reasonable suspicion’ of committing a crime.
After receiving several complains from supporters involved, Celtic chiefs hired independent safety consultants Fairhurst to look into the complaints raised by fans in the aftermath.
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Fans have been waiting months for the findings of the investigation and Celtic were finally ready to detail the findings to supporter groups, but we revealed this week that several invitations were snubbed.
The club have now released a statement to supporters confirming exactly what was discovered during the thorough investigation.
Celtic state that although fan safety is the club’s ‘primary concern’, they do NOT have any jurisdiction over events which occur away from Celtic Park – even on game day.
A statement read: “In March this year, Celtic Football Club engaged independent safety and event consultants Fairhurst to review concerns raised regarding events involving Celtic supporters, Celtic Supporters’ Clubs and buses, and groups, which took place away from Celtic Park on 16th March 2025.
“Our primary concern will always be for the safety of our supporters. Within Celtic Park we work closely with Police Scotland, the Scottish Ambulance Service, and other partners to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our own fans, and all other visitors to the stadium.
“While events away from Celtic Park are not in any way managed by the Club, and we play no role in operational policing decisions outside our stadium, we recognised that many supporters had turned to the Club to voice their concerns regarding the events of 16th March.
“The Club therefore engaged Fairhurst to undertake the review, and are sharing Fairhurst’s report, to assist in; understanding the experience of those present at the events of 16th March; identifying any questions to be answered; and, ultimately, through dialogue seeking to identify any lessons which may be learned.
“We wanted to afford supporters every opportunity to contribute to this report and during the period of review, over 200 submissions were made to Fairhust. Given the significant volume of information received by Fairhurst, the process has taken time to collate all data, analyse fully and complete the final report with recommendations.
“The Club is now pleased to share the report in full, and we thank our supporters for their engagement in this process to date. The report will also now be shared directly with Police Scotland.
“While the full report is available to view, through the review of information received by Fairhurst, the independent report raises 10 ‘identified questions’ from the information received, five of which have been noted by the report as relevant to Celtic Football Club.”
Answering the five questions directed to Celtic, the statement continued: “Did Celtic and Police Scotland collaborate on the subject of supporter detentions in the pre-planning phase of the policing operation, either in meetings, correspondence, discussion or any other form of information exchange?
Celtic FC: Absolutely not. Celtic had no knowledge of or involvement in this police operation.
- “Were Celtic made aware at any stage prior to the policing operations taking place, about the intention of Police Scotland to detain groups of supporters?”
Celtic FC: At no time was the Club made aware of this police operation prior to it taking place. - •Reflecting upon arrangements of 16.03.25 and taking cognisance of the feedback provided, if true, were the communications issued by both Celtic and Police Scotland still considered to be accurate and were the communication methods used still considered to be appropriate, and have any learnings been identified?
Celtic FC: Celtic Football Club has no role or involvement in policing operations away from Celtic Park and this was absolutely the case with reference to this operation. The Club stands by the statements issued on its website following the operation. While the police operation was ongoing, the Club could have issued information through its own channels to assist in highlighting the road closure which had developed, had it received such information from Police Scotland at the time. The Club will explore with Police Scotland how this might be improved in the future. - •Why were away supporters apparently prioritised over home supporters in being facilitated access into the stadium ( and leading to a number of home supporters being held and subjected to verbal abuse from opposition fans), after the specified time windows communicated to both sets of supporters in pre match communications?
Celtic FC: The decision to allow the entry of away fans to the stadium was made by Police Scotland. The Club accepts that this led to a negative experience for a number of Celtic supporters, which is regrettable. The Club will explore with Police Scotland how this might be avoided in the future. - •What steps can be taken, if any, to help re-build the apparent breakdown in trust between supporters, Police Scotland and the Club?
Celtic FC: Our primary concern will always be for the safety and well-being of our supporters attending matches and this will require cooperation among all stakeholders involved, including Police Scotland. Celtic will work with all parties to seek to ensure that positive liaison and engagement can take place between the Club, supporters and Police Scotland going forward. The Club will seek to meet with Police Scotland once they have had an opportunity to consider this report.”
Celtic chief executive Michael Nicholson said: “A number of significant concerns have been raised regarding police actions on 16 March, concerns which I share and which the Club will seek to address with Police Scotland.
“As the Club has already made clear, Celtic supporters should feel safe when attending – and travelling to – football matches. Just as supporters should behave safely and responsibly both inside and outside of football stadia, so too they should be confident at all times that they themselves will be treated fairly.
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“Lessons must be learned from the feedback received and the questions identified should be addressed. The Club firmly believes that all parties must work together to ensure that this is the case.
“Celtic has already sought, through the SPFL, to engage in wider discussion with regard to the concerns raised by supporters concerning policing of football in Scotland and we look forward to these discussions progressing.”
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