Rangers fans desperate to watch Wednesday’s Europa League final clash with Eintracht Frankfurt at Ibrox have launched an online petition after managing director Stewart Robertson admitted it would be “very, very unlikely” an Ibrox beam back would take place.
With Rangers only having 9,500 tickets inside the Estadio Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán in Seville, there are thousands of supporters not travelling to Spain who had hoped the club would open up the stadium for fans at home.
After doing similar in 2008 when the club reached the UEFA Cup final, it was widely expected that something would be announced by the club before Robertson surprised everyone yesterday.
Thousands of fans are now left looking for an alternative – although many are likely to still head towards Ibrox and try find pubs on the Paisley Road West with room to get in and watch the final.
That’s led to fans starting a petition online to try and put some pressure on Rangers to change their mind and open up the stadium for fans next week for an Ibrox beam back.
“As amazing an achievement as it has been for Rangers to reach the Europa League Final,” the petition reads, “It wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the fans who have backed the club through thick and thin in recent years and beyond.
“The fact that the club are seriously considering not beaming one of the club’s most significant ever games back to Ibrox for those supporters who cannot afford to go to Seville because they’ve spent so much money supporting their team through the worst recession since the Second World War is hugely disappointing.
“The Rangers board need to do whatever they can to at least try and make sure this event happens as a thank you to the working fans who deserve to commemorate this occasion in a fitting and appropriate manner.”
Rangers unlikely to change mind on Ibrox beam back despite fan anger
While fans are getting creative in their attempts to find alternative plans, it seems unlikely Rangers will change their mind and host an Ibrox beam back.
It has been suggested that there could be a ‘link’ between the club’s efforts to get something on in Seville for fans there and the decision not to host a beam back at Ibrox but that seems like a weak excuse.
Surely with thousands of fans almost certain to head for Ibrox – and even more if Rangers win – then it’s better to already have something in place to control and manage the crowds rather than trying to get control after the fact?
Hopefully, the club comes to their senses and joins all five other European finalists and puts on a screening for fans unable to travel to the final.