It has been a turbulent end to the Scottish Premiership season, and now the SPFL is formally stepping in. Five fixtures — including two involving champions Celtic — are under investigation for unacceptable conduct at matches, the league confirmed this week, citing rules H36 and H37 of the SPFL rulebook.

The most high-profile of the five is Celtic's visit to Motherwell on 13 May, a game that produced a late twist and no shortage of controversy. Deep into added time, referee John Beaton pointed to the spot after a VAR review flagged a handball against Motherwell's Sam Nicholson as he jumped alongside Celtic's Auston Trusty. Kelechi Iheanacho stepped up and converted, earning Celtic a 3-2 win that kept them within a point of then-leaders Hearts going into the final weekend. Supporters entered the pitch following that late goal, which is central to the SPFL's investigation.

The SFA's Key Match Incident panel has since weighed in on the penalty itself, and their verdict does not make comfortable reading for Celtic or for those who defend the VAR process in Scotland. Two of the three panel members concluded that VAR was wrong to intervene and that the penalty should not have been awarded; only one felt the decision was correct. It is an assessment that will reignite the debate around consistency and competence in Scottish officiating, though of course the result stands regardless of any post-match review.

The second Celtic fixture under scrutiny is their home league game against Hearts on 16 May, which the Gorgie side won 3-1 to leapfrog the hosts and set up an extraordinary final-day title race. Supporters again came onto the pitch at Celtic Park following late goals, and that incursion has attracted further attention after Hearts shareholder Tony Bloom alleged that some of his club's players were assaulted during the chaos. Martin O'Neill, Celtic's manager, has been clear that those allegations have not been substantiated, though he acknowledged that apologies would be owed should any proof emerge. Police Scotland are conducting their own separate inquiry into whether any criminality took place.

The other three investigations cover:

  • Inverness Caledonian Thistle v Hamilton Academical (League One, 2 May) — Inverness clinched the title and promotion to the Championship, with spectators entering the field after the final whistle.
  • Hamilton Academical v Clyde (League One play-off second leg, 15 May at Broadwood) — Hamilton progressed on aggregate, and there were again scenes of pitch encroachment.
  • Stenhousemuir v Alloa Athletic (Championship play-off second leg, 16 May) — Stenny lost the match but won the tie on aggregate; supporters entered the pitch there too.

The SPFL's statement noted that 11 disciplinary processes had already been concluded against eight clubs for similar incidents during the 2025-26 campaign — and that tally does not yet account for these final-day cases. The league referenced pyrotechnic displays and objects thrown at players and staff as recurring concerns alongside the pitch invasions.

The governing body also confirmed it has been engaged in the Scottish Government's consultation on football banning orders, a tool that clubs and authorities have long debated as a potential deterrent. Whether legislation moves forward quickly enough to change behaviour next season remains to be seen.

For Celtic, the disciplinary process arrives in the middle of an already fraught close season. The title is retained, the celebrations have been had — but the scrutiny over how it was clinched, and what happened in the stands during those final games, is far from finished.

Frequently asked

Why are Celtic being investigated by the SPFL?
Two Celtic matches — away at Motherwell on 13 May and at home to Hearts on 16 May — are under investigation because supporters entered the pitch during or after both games. The SPFL is looking at whether clubs fulfilled their obligations under rules H36 and H37 regarding crowd safety and unacceptable conduct.
Was the Celtic penalty against Motherwell overturned?
No, the result stands. However, the SFA's Key Match Incident panel reviewed the decision and, by a majority of two to one, concluded that VAR was incorrect to intervene and the penalty should not have been awarded. KMI panel verdicts are for review purposes only and do not change match outcomes.
What are SPFL rules H36 and H37?
H36 places responsibility on the home club to ensure good order and security at its stadium and to prevent unacceptable conduct. H37 requires every club to ensure its players, officials and supporters do not engage in unacceptable conduct, and to identify and sanction any supporters who do.