No punishment for Hibs and Rangers over crowd trouble

All disciplinary charges against Hibernian and Rangers for Hampden crowd trouble at last season’s Scottish Cup final have been dismissed.

The SFA confirmed a judicial panel had rejected notices of complaint issued to both clubs in the wake of the on-field violence and damage.

Both clubs had been cited for damage to advertising equipment, while Hibs also faced charges after the destruction of the goalposts and areas of the pitch after their late win sparked a pitch invasion.

The panel dismissed Hibs’ case as irrelevant, meaning charges against Rangers were also dropped.

The SFA published the panel’s reasons, which hinge on clubs’ unwillingness to bring in strict liability to the governing body’s disciplinary procedures, an approach which would make them liable for their supporters’ behaviour. Clubs voted overwhelmingly against adopting the measure, which underlines Uefa’s disciplinary processes, back in 2013.

The panel cited Article 28 of the SFA’s articles, which states a club shall “take all such steps as are reasonably practicable to ensure the safety, good conduct and behaviour of its supporters on any ground”.

This approach meant clubs could not be automatically punished for misbehaviour by their supporters.

The report concluded: “It may be thought odd there is no apparent disciplinary sanction for this event.

“But that is a matter for the members to deal with, in clear terms, rather than for the judicial panel to innovate by a purposive interpretation of the rules.

“From the information which we have, there is a limited appetite for strict liability within Scottish football.”

Both clubs could still be given a bill for damage to the stadium.