The Scottish Football Association will appoint an independent commission to investigate the circumstances which led to a pitch invasion after Saturday's Scottish Cup final.

The SFA said the commission's findings would be released in full "in the interests of transparency" and they would share all information gathered with Police Scotland.

Police Scotland defended its handling of the cup final aftermath as "professional and measured", adding that officers had put "public safety first" and separated fans quickly.

Violent clashes following the Hibernian v Rangers final were "unreservedly" condemned by the Scottish Government after thousands of Hibs fans and a smaller number of Rangers fans stormed the pitch.

SFA chief executive Stewart Regan said: "The Scottish FA has today initiated the process of appointing an independent commission to investigate the circumstances of Saturday's Scottish Cup final disorder.

"A chairperson will be appointed in early course and the commission's remit will be to review all operational matters relating to the event hosting of the final.

"It will be convened to analyse the processes and protocols undertaken in the staging of the match and I would encourage all relevant stakeholders to contribute to it.

"In the interests of transparency, the commission's findings will also be published in full.

"In addition, the Scottish FA's compliance officer has also started the process of investigating potential rule breaches from a football regulatory perspective.

"It should be pointed out that as the cup final is now subject to a criminal investigation by Police Scotland, we will share all information gleaned so far with them.

"I have also instructed the compilation of a comprehensive report from all our internal group functions at Hampden Park to establish a full picture of the events of the weekend. The contents of this report will be made available to the commission.

"I am keen that the Scottish FA is proactive in the investigations with the police authorities and the independent commission."

Mr Regan added: "In the meantime, I would urge all parties involved in the ongoing situation to demonstrate calmness, clarity of thought and responsibility as we proceed towards a satisfactory conclusion."

Police Scotland said officers had conducted themselves in a "measured and professional way" in the face of threats of violence.

Assistant chief constable Mark Williams also said officers had acted quickly to separate fans and that police had learned from "tragedies in the past" not to try and corral fans.

Mr Williams said: "We had all the officers that were based in the stadium deployed at the final whistle around the stadium but you've got to remember it's a massive perimeter. It would take many hundreds if not more police officers and stewards to do that.

"When you're faced with many thousands of fans trying to get onto a pitch, our priority has to be public safety.

"Sadly we've learned from tragedies in the past that actually crushing fans and corralling them in such a way can be very, very dangerous."

The assistant chief constable added: "A number of officers were faced with violence. We acted in a very professional and measured way, we were able to bring about the separation of the fans in a relatively short period of time using specialist resources and I think that was proportionate."

Police have made eleven arrests so far, and Mr Williams indicated more arrests would be made in the weeks ahead.

A dedicated incident room for the investigation has been established in Glasgow and police are appealing for anyone with any information to come forward by calling 0141 532 5457.

Cup winners Hibs have released a statement condemning "all of the violence and unacceptable conduct" from its supporters.

The club also pledged to work with both the police investigation and the SFA's independent commission.

Hibernian FC also reiterated that they were sorry for and would never condone the behaviour of its supporters in coming onto the pitch, and that the club would do "everything in its power" to book any Hibs supporters found to be involved in the most serious allegations of assault.

Hibernian chairman Rod Petrie said: "It is now clear from various sources that supporters being on the pitch at the end of the match led to acts of violence and disorder.

"I condemn and the Club condemns all of the violence and unacceptable conduct perpetrated on the pitch and elsewhere and in the margins of the match at Hampden.

"There is absolutely no place for it in the game of football."

Mr Petrie added: "Hibernian will do all that it can to support the criminal investigations to ensure that those who have transgressed face the consequences of their actions."

Rangers issued a statement on Sunday calling for a full investigation after some of their players were allegedly assaulted by Hibs fans.

The Rangers statement criticised security procedures, as well as hitting out at the SFA, Hibernian, the BBC and even First MInister Nicola Sturgeon.

Rangers said: "It was clear to most of those who watched in horror that the Scottish FA's security procedures failed when Hibernian's fans went over the top in their thousands.

"It is to be hoped that all of Scottish football will share Rangers' disgust and any attempts to attach blame to our supporters for the disgraceful and violent behaviour, which led to our players and fans fearing for their safety, will not be accepted or tolerated by this club."

The club added: "It must also be said that it was not at all helpful to see leading members of the Scottish Government, including the First Minister whose parish is Govan, passing comment on social media without any attempt to condemn the behaviour of Hibernian's fans."

Nicola Sturgeon tweeted her congratulations to Hibs after Saturday's match, adding: "My other half @PeterMurrell is just one of thousands of happy Hibees tonight."

The Rangers statement continued: "These fans were allowed to rush, unchecked, towards Rangers supporters at the opposite end of the stadium - all the while goading and threatening them. This makes it preposterous to suggest Rangers fans were somehow to blame as some commentators appear anxious to do.

"This thuggish behaviour must be investigated and as many culprits as possible brought to book and formally charged. This is the second time in a year that Rangers fans have had to endure attacks by another club's supporters."

The club finished by saying: "So, let everyone be clear on one thing - Rangers demands that players, staff and fans be protected from the violence and hatred of supporters of other clubs.

"Rangers fully expect the Scottish FA and Police Scotland to take action to provide our people with a safe environment.

"When players are unable to accept medals at the end of a final because of fears for their safety and our supporters are alarmed and extremely concerned for the women and children among them, then surely every step must be taken to ensure that this is never repeated."

Security firm G4S responded that the cup final had been "appropriately staffed", adding one of its stewards was injured during the pitch invasion.