The cocky Frankfurt president has taken aim at the Rangers support after the Europa League Final – but failed to acknowledge the role UEFA played in silencing the Bears.
The Gers were defeated by the Bundesliga side on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Seville and the heartbreak continues to rankle.
After the match, Peter Fischer criticised the Rangers supporters for a lack of noise in the ground with his praise reserved for the vocal Frankfurt support.
“We had respect for our opponents. It was a fixture worth a final. Two big, traditional clubs, both with big fanbases,” said Fischer [Daily Record].
“But what I have to say is that everybody from Glasgow told me “we won’t hear you, because we will be so loud and that we will make it a home game. They still said that today everywhere.
“Where have they been? Where in the world have they been? We couldn’t hear them and then they disappeared after the final whistle.
“This shows there is less sportsmanship and that’s what I criticise.
“Our fanbase helped us win the game, they were fantastic against the ‘super louds’.”
Frankfurt president slates Rangers fans despite UEFA shortcomings
What Frankfurt president Fischer fails to mention is the emerging claims that Rangers fans were treated remarkably differently by UEFA and the Spanish authorities.
Gers supporters were hemmed into cattle-like fan zones whilst Frankfurt supporters had areas with fountains and access to water to cool off.
Entering the stadium, Rangers fans were subject to rigorous and over-zealous searches and the club was denied permission to unveil a tifo.
At the other side of the pitch, Frankfurt were allowed to unveil a tifo of their own and even lit flares in the second half, given rise to suspicions about a difference in policing.
If Gers fans couldn’t even take in a set of AirPods, who did so many Frankfurt supporters manage to enter with flares?
That’s before you mention major issues with food and water, as UEFA failed to meet the demand set out by the support and dehydrated fans were forced to drink water from the toilets.
Between the heat stroke and dehydration it’s not exactly easy to raise the roof, and when you’re dying for a drink of some water you’re not waiting around to see another team lift the trophy.
Considering the context, the comments of the Frankfurt president regarding Rangers fans isn’t exactly fair and smacks of arrogance.
There are of course lessons to be learned from a Rangers POV too – the MyGers led ticketing system leaves a lot to be desired and there’s a feeling many fans who were just at the Roman Sánchez Pizjuán for a day out got their hands on briefs.
Frankfurt were also much more organised with their ultras groups and appeared to seat them in specific areas, something Rangers really should’ve considered themselves.
But as far as the treatment of Rangers fans goes the entire thing stinks to high heavens and UEFA have already apologised for the conditions at the stadium.