Caley Thistle v Hamilton pitch invasion investigated by SPFL
Fans raced on to the pitch before the final whistle as Inverness won League One after their 2-1 victory against Hamilton on May 2.
The pitch invasion near the end of Caley Thistle’s League One-clinching match against Hamilton Academical is being investigated by the SPFL.
The May 2 showdown at the Sarens PSG Stadium saw Scott Kellacher’s hosts win 2-1 to be confirmed as champions.
However, after Oli Shaw’s stoppage-time penalty was saved by Inverness goalkeeper Ross Munro, home and away supporters raced onto the pitch, leading to some clashes with stewards, police and rivals fans.
The game had to be stopped while fans were ushered off the park and the game was restarted for a short period before the final whistle.
Five fixtures under the spotlight
The Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) has now confirmed the Caley Thistle match is one of five games across the leagues being investigated, including Celtic’s 3-1 Premiership title-winning match against main contenders Hearts last Saturday, when fans also ran onto the pitch just after Celtic netted a late third goal.
The Premiership match between Motherwell at Celtic at Fir Park on May 13, the League One play-off and Championship play-off final ties between Hamilton Academical and Clyde and Stenhousemuir and Alloa Athletic last weekend are also being probed.
The SPFL statement said: “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.”
Two SPFL rules being investigated
The five matches mentioned above are being investigated under SPFL Rules H36 and H37.
H36 states “the home club in any official match must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, good order and security; that policies and procedures have been adopted and are implemented to prevent incidents of unacceptable conduct; and that any incidents of unacceptable conduct are effectively dealt with, all at its stadium on the occasion of an official match.”
H37 says “Each club must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that its players, officials, supporters and any person exercising a function for or connected with the club do not engage in unacceptable conduct at a stadium on the occasion of an official match; it identifies any of its supporters who engage in unacceptable conduct at an official match; and it takes proportionate disciplinary measures in respect of supporters so identified in terms of Rule H37.2.”
‘Record-breaking attendances’
The SPFL was keen to stress these incidents came against a backdrop of titles going the distance and a rising interest in the leagues.
It said: “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.”
[Source: Press and Journal]
