The SPFL has officially opened disciplinary investigations into both of Celtic’s explosive title run-in matches against Motherwell and Hearts.
The governing body confirmed Friday that incidents from the Fir Park clash on May 13 and the dramatic final-day title decider at Celtic Park on May 16 are now under investigation under SPFL Rules H36 and H37.
Those two matches effectively framed Celtic’s title win under Martin O’Neill.
At Fir Park, supporters entered the pitch after Kelechi Iheanacho’s late penalty secured a chaotic 3-2 victory that kept Celtic alive in the race. Four days later, the scenes were even more dramatic when Daizen Maeda and Callum Osmand scored in stoppage time against Hearts before fans flooded onto the Celtic Park pitch after the title was won.
The Hearts match never restarted.
Referee Don Robertson later confirmed the game was finished after Hearts staff raised safety concerns during the disorder. Audio released by the SFA earlier this week backed Robertson’s decision and confirmed Hearts manager Derek McInnes was content for the match to end early.
Now the SPFL has formally confirmed both Celtic fixtures are part of wider disciplinary proceedings across Scottish football.
The league addressed the investigations in a lengthy statement.
An SPFL statement read: “The Scottish Professional Football League has today opened several disciplinary investigations following incidents at recent SPFL matches, including this month’s title-deciding matches between Celtic and Heart of Midlothian and Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Hamilton Academical.
Season 2025/26 was a season like no other with record-breaking attendances, drama to the final day in every division, and a level of international interest in Scottish football not seen before in the SPFL era. The vast majority of supporters that attended SPFL matches did so with the passion and loyalty that makes Scottish football unique and were a credit to their clubs and the wider game. The SPFL has the highest attendances per capita of any league in Europe and the match-day experience is critical for the continued success of Scottish football. It is therefore essential that all supporters, players, and those working at matches, feel safe when attending.
In recent seasons, there have been a number of incidents at SPFL matches where objects have been thrown at players or members of staff, orchestrated pyrotechnic displays have taken place, and/or mass pitch incursions have occurred. In season 2025/26 the SPFL concluded 11 disciplinary processes against eight clubs for such incidents.
These statistics do not include the final match days of the season and the SPFL can confirm that the following matches are being investigated under SPFL Rules H36 and H37:
Inverness Caledonian Thistle v Hamilton Academical – Saturday 2 May 2026
Motherwell v Celtic – Wednesday 13 May 2026
Hamilton Academical v Clyde – Friday 15 May 2026
Celtic v Heart of Midlothian – Saturday 16 May 2026
Stenhousemuir v Alloa Athletic – Saturday 16 May 2026
In addition to these disciplinary processes, there is a continuing need for all stakeholders to work together to address the challenges of Unacceptable Conduct at matches, including pitch encroachments and pyrotechnic use. The SPFL has engaged fully in the Scottish Government’s consultation on football banning orders and awaits the next steps in that process.”
The statement also confirmed Celtic are not alone.
Hamilton Academical, Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Stenhousemuir matches are also being investigated following incidents during the closing weeks of the season.
Still, the spotlight will naturally land hardest on Celtic because of the scale of the scenes against Hearts. The match became the most watched SPFL fixture of the season with viewing figures peaking around 1.37 million during stoppage time.
That exposure brought pressure quickly.
Tony Bloom publicly claimed Hearts players had been “in danger” during the invasion while First Minister John Swinney warned rules around pitch incursions may now tighten across Scottish football.
Martin O’Neill defended the emotional side of the celebrations afterward but accepted authorities may revisit regulations moving forward.
What happens next now depends on the SPFL disciplinary process and whether the league decides punishment is necessary following one of the wildest finishes to a Scottish title race in years.
