St Johnstone have been hit with a suspended ticket reduction by the SPFL, following the use of pyrotechnics during a recent away match against Raith Rovers.
During the club's 0-0 draw to Dougie Imrie's side at Stark's Park, a 'large-scale' pyrotechnics display was put on by members of the away support on February 20.
Following this, proceedings got underway regarding potential disciplinary breaches involving spectators, who have now been found to have broken SPFL rules.
In full on the SPFL's website, Scottish football's governing body imposed sanctions on the Perth club, saying, "The SPFL can confirm that St Johnstone have been found in breach of SPFL rules following the behaviour of the club’s supporters during their recent league game away at Raith Rovers.
"Proceedings into a large-scale, organised and illegal pyrotechnics display during the club’s 0-0 draw at Stark’s Park on February 20 have now concluded. The club was 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 that match.
"St Johnstone has since informed the SPFL that the club has imposed an immediate ban on one supporter involved in the display until the end of the season, and that the supporter will only be allowed to attend matches again upon successful completion of the SPFL Trust’s Pyrotechnics Awareness Programme.
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"The charity’s educational programme aims to reduce the use of pyrotechnics amongst programme participants and enhance safety inside and outside of games.
"The SPFL has imposed the following sanction upon the club:
"(i) A suspended reduction of 50 tickets for a future away match in an SPFL competition, to be triggered in 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. If this sanction is triggered, the club will be required to pay the costs for said 50 tickets to the home club for the respective match."
Following the announcement, St Johnstone responded to the SPFL's ruling with a statement of their own, saying, "St Johnstone Football Club acknowledges the SPFL sanction imposed on the club today following the use of pyrotechnics at our away match against Raith Rovers on February 20.
"We can confirm that we have imposed an immediate ban on one supporter, who will only be allowed to attend matches again upon successful completion of the SPFL Trust’s Pyrotechnics Awareness Programme. We continue to engage with relevant authorities.
"Again, to put it bluntly and very clearly, the use of pyrotechnics at our games needs to stop. Otherwise, the club will face further sanctions. The SPFL adopt a zero-tolerance approach to pyrotechnics.
"We urge all supporters to continue backing the team in the passionate, vocal and positive manner that makes our support so special, but please do so safely and responsibly."
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