Mark Blackbourne will head an independent review into the crowd trouble that occurred following the Scottish Cup quarter-final in March. The Scottish FA confirmed the appointment of the sports event consultant to investigate the scenes involving Rangers and Celtic fans. The disorder took place at the conclusion of the match, leading to multiple arrests and injuries to police officers, according to Police Scotland.
Blackbourne has previously advised on safety operations for major sporting events, per Sky Sports. His investigation will focus on the security protocols and the response to the pitch incursions that followed the final whistle. The governing body intends to identify improvements for future high-profile fixtures at national stadiums.
The review aims to examine how rival supporters gained access to the pitch and the subsequent clashes in the stands. Rangers won the fixture to progress in the competition, but the post-match events overshadowed the result on the field. The Scottish FA expects the findings to be published later this year, according to the Daily Record.
