Rangers are coming down hard on fans who engage in unacceptable behaviour after UEFA handed down a suspended stand closure at Ibrox.
Rangers are furious after fans in the Copland Stand unfurled a so-called ‘anti-woke’ banner in the Europa League clash with Fenerbahce.
The banner has caused a stir amongst supporters with the message reading: “KEEP WOKE FOREIGN IDEOLOGIES OUT. DEFEND EUROPE.”
With UEFA labelling the banner as ‘racist and/or discriminatory’, Rangers urged any fans who hold such beliefs to stay away from Ibrox.
But after UEFA passed their judgement, Rangers fans are split on how the Ibrox club have reacted to the fans responsible for the incident.
Rangers face stand closure after UEFA fine
UEFA have fined Rangers €30k (£25k) for the banner and also handed the Gers a one match partial stadium closure for the Copland Stand which has been suspended for two years.
Effectively, this means Rangers will see their singing section shut for one UEFA club competition match with thousands missing out on tickets if another such incident arises.
This is the third time since 2019 that Rangers have had the term ‘racist’ attached to the club by UEFA, with separate incidents in Europa League qualifying in the 19/20 season leading to a partial stand closure against Feyenoord in September 2019.
Rangers would face a full stand closure if UEFA deems fan behaviour to fall into this category again between now and 2027.
It’s an ominous situation for Rangers, the Ibrox club on the verge of a US buyout and trying to position itself as a modern, welcoming institution with major global ambitions in the game.
Such small-mindedness is clearly not welcome and Rangers are in the process of banning the individuals involved.
But it’s the length of the bans which has got fans talking on social media.
Rangers fans slam ‘extreme’ punishments for fans
Rangers have confirmed they will issue lifetime banning orders to any supporter who was involved in the banner being flown at Ibrox.
It is not a message the club want to send whilst UEFA, being the hosts of the competition, are clearly uncomfortable with such rhetoric being promoted in their tournament.
That is a bottom line here. The only colour that matters is blue at Ibrox, the only religion that matters is Rangers.
But in the spirit of reconciliation and progress, some fans have raised concerns that the supporters involved will never be allowed to visit Ibrox to see their team play again.
Whilst these sorts of views are clearly not welcome, surely supporters should have the chance to reconcile their mistakes.
One fan said: “There’s no need for lifetime bans. These lads are likely teenagers or early 20’s. There’s no way that they should be banned for life destroying any scope of them taking their kids to Ibrox which is such a huge moment in any parents life. A stern warning from the club in letter form would be enough for this.”
Another added that lifetime bans were a ‘bit disproportionate’ whilst another branded them ‘over the top’.
One supporter claims the bans are ‘shocking’ whilst another used the word ‘extreme’, branding the decision a ‘disgrace’.
This supporter has another theory as to why Rangers have taken such a harsh approach with supporters:
But whether you agree with the punishment or not, Rangers are clear that the club will not be a vessel for extreme political opinions.
Go to the match, support the team but keep the politics at home.
