UEFA have warned Rangers they’ll be ordered to close the Copland Road stand if there’s any repeat of racist or discriminatory behaviour at a European game in the coming two years.
The Ibrox club learned the outcome of the disciplinary case Europe’s governing body opened against them following their home game with Fenerbahce on March 13.
In addition to fines totalling £15,440 for offences including the throwing of objects and the blocking of passageways, Rangers were also fined £25,000 and handed a suspended sentence over the closure of the stand after supporters unfurled a banner which read: ‘Keep woke foreign ideologies out defend Europe.’
With Athletic Bilbao set to travel to Glasgow for the home leg of the Europa League quarter-final in a fortnight, the club issued a strongly worded response, warning that those responsible faced lifetime bans.
It read: ‘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.
Rangers have been warned the Copland Road stand could be shut by UEFA
Rangers have also hit out at the use of pyrotechnics at the recent Old Firm match
‘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.’
Rangers also took the opportunity to admonish the supporters who let off pyrotechnics in their recent 3-2 win away to Celtic in the Premiership.
The statement continued: ‘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.’