Sports
UEFA Charges Rangers After Controversial Banner Sparks Outrage
- Rangers slammed fans’ anti-woke banner as “shameful.”
- Club faces UEFA charges over fan misconduct.
- Warns offending fans are not welcome.
Rangers have condemned the display of an anti-woke banner by a section of their supporters during their Europa League clash with Fenerbahce, calling it “shameful” and “embarrassing.” The incident has resulted in UEFA launching a disciplinary charge against the club.
In a strongly worded statement, the Scottish Premiership side also criticised the throwing of objects onto the pitch and the persistent use of pyrotechnics, warning that individuals engaging in such behaviour are not welcome at Ibrox.
While expressing gratitude to the majority of fans for their support during recent matches against Fenerbahce and Celtic, Rangers 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.”
EDITOR’S PICKS
- 7 Fruits You Should Not Eat On Empty Stomach
- Dr. Alausa Champions Innovation and Collaboration in Education
- Ondo Doctor Dies of Lassa Fever After Returning from UK
The banner, displayed during Thursday’s aggregate win over Fenerbahce at Ibrox, read: “Keep woke foreign ideologies out – defend Europe.”
Rangers say European football’s governing body has described it as “racist and/or discriminatory”.
“Rangers is a modern, progressive football club and we are fiercely proud of our diverse playing squads, workforce and support,” the club say in a website statement.
“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.
“This charge will bring consequences for the club, while the club is also working to identify those responsible and will ensure they also face 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.”
Rangers have also been charged over objects thrown on Thursday but say their own players and staff were “targeted with missiles” during Sunday’s Old Firm derby win at Celtic Park.
“This is becoming a regular occurrence, not just at Rangers matches but across stadia in Scotland,” Rangers state.
“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.
“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.”
Rangers also face a Uefa sanction for the blocking of passageways at the Fenerbahce match and urge fancs to follow the advice of stewards and police.
FURTHER READING
- Man Murders Wife, Hides in Ceiling to Evade Arrest
- Yellow Aboki, Close Ally of Late Bandit Kingpin Bamamu, Eliminated in Zamfara
- ‘We Inherited a Mess’ – Ratcliffe Criticizes Man United Players
In addition, Rangers say that: “Despite clear warnings to the contrary, pyrotechnics were used by two individuals following Sunday’s Old Firm victory at Parkhead.
“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.
“All of the above behaviours will have consequences for the club and, either directly or indirectly, the club’s supporters.”
Watch Our Video Of The Week
Advertise or Publish a Story on EkoHot Blog:
Kindly contact us at [email protected]. Breaking stories should be sent to the above email and substantiated with pictorial evidence.
Citizen journalists will receive a token as data incentive.
Call or Whatsapp: 0803 561 7233, 0703 414 5611
