The SPFL has confirmed that Aberdeen, Hibernian, Motherwell and Rangers have been found to be in breach of SPFL rules following disciplinary proceedings into the behaviour of the clubs’ supporters at matches in season 2025/26.
Proceedings into large-scale, organised and illegal pyrotechnics displays at five separate matches in November and December this season – Dundee v Aberdeen, Falkirk v Motherwell, Motherwell v Hibernian, Kilmarnock v Rangers and Rangers v Motherwell - have now concluded.
All four clubs were found to have breached SPFL Rule H37 in failing to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, that their supporters did not engage in “unacceptable conduct” at those matches.
The clubs were also found to have failed to identify and/or take proportionate disciplinary measures against the supporters responsible for the pyrotechnic displays.
The pyrotechnics display by Aberdeen fans prior to the club’s 3-1 win away against Dundee on December 6 at Dens Park led to damage to the Dens Park pitch and caused a burn injury to a child as well as respiratory issues for another supporter.
Hibernian supporters carried out a pyrotechnics display in the club’s 2-0 loss against Motherwell at Fir Park on November 25, with the devices then being thrown towards players and staff of the home club.
Motherwell supporters carried out two separate pyrotechnics displays in their matches against Falkirk on December 3 and Rangers on December 27, with around 20 devices being activated in each display.
And lastly Rangers fans had a large-scale, choreographed pyrotechnic display during the club’s 3-0 win away at Kilmarnock’s Rugby Park on December 6, which resulted in an injury to a child.
As can be seen from the detail provided above, these incidents caused a health and safety risk to fellow supporters, players and those working at matches; as well as a significant inconvenience to thousands of supporters at the matches and fans watching these games at home.
Aberdeen
Aberdeen was found to have breached SPFL Rule H37 in respect of the William Hill Premiership match involving Dundee v Aberdeen and the following sanction was imposed:
(i) A suspended reduction of 50 tickets for a future away match in an SPFL competition, to be triggered in the event of another rule breach of SPFL Rule H37 through pyrotechnic use by the club’s supporters at an away match in any SPFL competition, on or before 30 June 2026. If this sanction is triggered, the club will be required to pay the costs for these 50 tickets to the home club for the relevant match.
Hibernian
Hibernian was found to have breached SPFL Rule H37 in respect of the William Hill Premiership match involving Motherwell v Hibernian and the following sanction was imposed:
(i) A suspended reduction of 50 tickets for a future away match in an SPFL competition, to be triggered in the event of another rule breach of SPFL Rule H37 through pyrotechnic use by the club’s supporters at an away match in any SPFL competition, on or before 30 June 2026. If this sanction is triggered, the club will be required to pay the costs for these 50 tickets to the home club for the relevant match.
Motherwell
Motherwell was found to have breached SPFL Rule H37 in respect of the William Hill Premiership matches involving Falkirk v Motherwell and Rangers v Motherwell and the following sanction was imposed:
(i) An immediate reduction of 50 tickets for the club’s supporters for the Dundee v Motherwell match in the William Hill Premiership on Wednesday 4 February 2026. The club is required to pay the cost of 50 tickets to Dundee as part of this sanction.
(ii) A suspended reduction of 100 tickets for a future away match in an SPFL competition, to be triggered in the event of another rule breach of SPFL Rule H37 through pyrotechnic use by the club’s supporters at an away match in any SPFL competition, on or before 30 June 2026. If this sanction is triggered, the club will be required to pay the costs for these 100 tickets to the home club for the relevant match.
Rangers
Rangers was found to have breached SPFL Rule H37 in respect of the William Hill Premiership match involving Kilmarnock v Rangers and the following sanction was imposed:
(i) The suspended sanction handed down on 14 October 2025 in relation to a pyrotechnic display at the Motherwell v Rangers match is triggered. The club receives an immediate reduction of 50 tickets for the club’s supporters for the Hibernian v Rangers match in the William Hill Premiership on Sunday 1 February 2026. The club is required to pay the cost of 50 tickets to Hibernian as part of this sanction.
(ii) A suspended reduction of 100 tickets for a future away match in an SPFL competition, to be triggered in the event of another rule breach of SPFL Rule H37 through pyrotechnic use by the club’s supporters at an away match in any SPFL competition, on or before 30 June 2026. If this sanction is triggered, the club will be required to pay the costs for these 100 tickets to the home club for the relevant match.
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