Courtesy: Google
Rangers, one of the biggest football clubs in Scotland, have been charged by the UEFA after their fans showed an anti-woke banner during the Europa League clash against Fenerbahce last week at the Ibrox Stadium. The club called the disciplinary charge as “shameful” and “embarrassing”, while they also slammed their own fans for throwing objects on to the pitch and using pyrotechnics during matches, while stating that they are not welcomed.
Notably, Rangers qualified through to the quarter-finals stage of the UEFA Europa League (UEL) following a win over Fenerbahce 3-2 on penalties after the teams were level at 4-4 on aggregate at the end of extra-time in the second leg. Earlier, in the first leg away from home in Istanbul, Rangers had defeated Fenerbahce 3-1 before being pegged back at home in the second leg with a 2-0 scoreline, which forced the penalty shootout.
For the club to be charged with such a matter in 2025 is shameful: Rangers
At the Ibrox Stadium, the Rangers fans displayed the banner, which read, “Keep woke foreign ideologies out - defend Europe” ahead of their UEL Round of 16 second leg against Fenerbahce. It drew a lot of criticism for the club and the fans, not only from the world of football, but elsewhere, and following that, UEFA spurred into action by imposing a disciplinary charge on them.
In their official statement on the matter, Rangers said that it is “deeply saddening and frankly embarrassing that the club is now set to face significant sanctions for the actions of a very small minority. 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. 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,” they added.
