And the Ibrox club have warned supporters to behave after European football’s governing body reacted to the banner at the Fenerbahce game
Rangers have been served with a suspended closure of the Copland Stand as UEFA throw the book at the Ibrox club.
The Light Blues have come out with a hard-hitting statement in response to the outcome of the disciplinary case and warned fans that the punishment MUST serve a ‘severe and significant’ reminder to the small number of supporters.
The Ibrox club state they are in the process of issuing lifetime bans to individuals responsible for the ‘racist and/or discriminatory banner’ on display at the Fenerbahce game – which read “Keep woke foreign. Ideologies out and defend Europe”.
The missive from the club also revealed those while those groups responsible for the use of pyrotechnics in the recent derby clash with Celtic will be directly impacted by the 500 ticket reduction issued in a different sanction from the SPFL.
The UEFA charge sheet reads:
- Incidents and sanction: Improper conduct of the team (5 players or more), Art. 15(4) DR – Fine: €8,000
- Throwing of objects, Art. 16(2)(b) DR – Fine: €4,500
- Blocking of public passageways, Art. 38 UEFA Safety and Security Regulations -Fine: €6,000
- Racist and/or discriminatory behaviour, Art. 14(2) DR – Fine: €30,000 Partial stadium closure (i.e. the Copland stand) during the next one (1) UEFA club competition match it will play as host club. Said partial stadium closure is suspended during a probationary period of two (2) years
A hard hitting club statement to fans said: “Rangers notes the outcome of the UEFA disciplinary case, and the respective sanctions imposed upon the club for several issues at the recent Ibrox match with Fenerbahce.
“Most notably, the club has been served with a suspended closure of the Copland Stand should there be any repeat of racist and/or discriminatory behaviour within the next two years.
“This punishment must serve as a severe and significant reminder to the small minority of supporters who bring the name of Rangers into disrepute. Any repeat of any discriminatory behaviour (and this also includes the singing of illicit songs) may result in the famed ‘Rangers end’ of our home being closed for a UEFA match.
“Not only will the reputation and finances of the club be harmed by such a punishment, but the chances of the team in a potentially key European match will also suffer enormously, while thousands of innocent fans will be unable to attend a massive fixture.
“In response to the displaying of the racist and/or discriminatory banner at the Fenerbahce game, the club can confirm that it is in the process of issuing lifetime bans to the individuals responsible.
“Further, following the use of pyrotechnics at Parkhead in the Old Firm game, the club can confirm the groups responsible for their discharge will be directly impacted by the 500 ticket reduction issued as a sanction the next time the club appears in the latter stages of the Premier Sports Cup at Hampden.
“The club again stresses a future use of pyrotechnics at any SPFL match may lead to a further reduction of 800 tickets at a latter-stage Premier Sports Cup match.
“The strongest asset this football club has is our support, and the club knows the overwhelming majority of our supporters will be angered by these episodes and the consequences they have for the club and its supporters. We reiterate our call for all supporters to back the team in the correct manner, and to challenge those who seek to further damage the good name of Rangers.”
Meanwhile, Celtic were also ticked off by UEFA with the club fined £10,000 for the late kick-off in their Champions League clash in Germany against Bayern Munich. Brendan Rodgers was served with a one-match suspended suspension.
The UEFA charge from the home game with Bayern reads: “Incident and sanction: Blocking of public passageways, Art. 38 UEFA Safety and Security Regulations – Fine: €9,000.”
While the away game charge from UEFA reads: “Incidents and sanction: – Late kick-off, Art. 11(2)(h) DR – Fine: €10,000. Late kick-off (Mr. Brendan Rodgers), Art. 11(2)(h) DR – Suspension: one (1) UEFA club competition match. Said one (1) match suspension is suspended during a probationary period of one (1) year.”