Rangers have attacked “deeply saddening and frankly embarrassing” behaviour by their own fans that resulted in Uefa charges.
The Scottish club were hit with three separate charges, including one relating to a “racist and/or discriminatory banner” unfurled during the Europa League clash with Fenerbahce on March 13.
Union Bears ultras group in the Copland Front end of Ibrox were believed to be responsible for the message reading: “Keep woke foreign ideologies out. Defend Europe.”
As Rangers were also hit with charges over the throwing of objects and blocking passageways, the club said it was “deeply saddening and frankly embarrassing that the club is now set to face significant sanctions for the actions of a very small minority”.
A lengthy statement added: “Rangers is a modern, progressive football club, and we are fiercely proud of our diverse playing squads, workforce and support.
“For the club to be charged with such a matter in 2025 is shameful, and the disdain for those responsible will be shared by the overwhelming majority of our supporters.”
As Uefa sanctions loomed on Wednesday, some Rangers fans questioned whether they were being dealt with more harshly than Celtic had been for misbehaviour.
Celtic fans who sang “Lizzie’s in a box” and “If you hate the Royal family, clap your hands” in front of the Prince of Wales avoided being banned from their club’s Champions League match at Bayern Munich, for instance.
But Rangers declined to draw comparison as the club confirmed they faced significant sanctions. The club praised the passion of their fans in a statement, but they were working to identify those responsible and would ensure those people faced consequences.
“For the avoidance of doubt, if you do not believe in 2025 that absolutely everyone is welcome to follow Rangers whether at Ibrox or away, then Rangers is not the club for you, and you should disassociate yourself with the club immediately,” the statement said.
Rangers won the tie on penalties and will face Athletic Club in the quarter-finals, with the home leg on April 10. In attacking fan misbehaviour, the club cited an incident where Celtic midfielder Arne Engels was hit with a coin at Ibrox on January 2.
The club added: “This is becoming a regular occurrence, not just at Rangers matches, but across stadia in Scotland. Indeed, our players and staff were targeted with missiles at Parkhead on Sunday. Focusing on Ibrox, however, there was a widely reported incident in the January Old Firm game, whilst at the recent game with Motherwell, one of our own supporters was hit and injured by an object thrown towards the away end. And now the club faces a sanction for the actions of an individual last Thursday night.
“This senseless and criminal behaviour has no place in sport, nor in society. Again, if you think such behaviour is acceptable, you are not welcome at Rangers matches.”
The club also criticised “two individuals” for using pyrotechnics after Sunday’s league win at Celtic Park. “This runs the risk of an additional 800 of our supporters being unable to attend a match in the latter stages of the Premier Sports Cup at Hampden, in addition to the 500 that will already miss out as a result of the use of pyrotechnics,” they added.
Rangers finished by appealing for “all reasonable supporters to wholeheartedly reject any behaviour which brings the name of Rangers into disrepute, and to assist the club by challenging any issues which will lead to the club being punished further by the relevant authorities”.
