Rangers have warned that Ibrox’s singing section in the Copland Road Stand could be ‘indefinitely withdrawn’ for the 2025/26 season.
Amid the club’s new season ticket campaign getting under way for next season, the Light Blues hierarchy have set their stall out over the singing section’s fan behaviour.
Rangers say “issues of concern” have arisen from the singing section which have impacted the club’s reputation as well as their bank balance.
UEFA fined Rangers last week after a banner was displayed at the Copland Front singing area during the club’s Europa League clash with Fenerbahce.
Rangers now say the Ibrox singing section will be monitored across the rest of the 2024/25 season and if more trouble arises there, it will be withdrawn for certain matches next season, or for an unlimited or unspecified period of time.
Rangers statement over singing section behaviour
In addition, the Ibrox club have declared fans seated in the singing section will be hurt in the pocket if these “issues persist” in the future.
But the club have also confirmed dialogue with fans in the singing section has commenced over the implementation of a new code of conduct for the area.
As per the Daily Record, a club statement reads as follows: “Ibrox is known as one of sport’s most famous arenas, with the atmosphere generated inside our home being the envy of clubs across the globe.
“To further enhance that wonderful atmosphere, since the beginning of the 2024/25 season, Rangers has provided a dedicated singing section located in the Copland Front at the traditional ‘Rangers end’ of Ibrox Stadium, and the noise and colour generated there can only be of benefit to Rangers teams into the future.
“Rangers remains committed to providing a singing section in the Copland Front for the forthcoming 2025/26 season.
“However, the singing section also presents the club with heightened security, safety and regulatory concerns. The issues of concern impact the match going experience for other supporters and have financial and reputational consequences for the club.
“Accordingly, for the remainder of this season (2024/25), the club will be monitoring the operation of the singing section and the behaviours of groups and individuals who frequent it.
“If the issues of concern continue, the club may reluctantly conclude that it is necessary to withdraw the singing section for season 2025/26 for certain matches or indefinitely if deemed necessary for the safety of our supporters and/or for the benefit of the club.
“Should this occur, Rangers will be in touch with affected season ticket holders to communicate what (if any) further action will be taken in accordance with section 8 of its Season Ticket Terms and Conditions.
“The club also reserves the right, if the issues persist, to add a surcharge to the singing section to cover the additional costs incurred by the club resulting from these issues, including in the case of serious and/or persistent failure to adhere to the club’s Ground Regulations and/or the club’s Season Ticket Terms and Conditions and/or any code of conduct.
“Rangers has engaged with some constituents of the singing section on its operation and will consult with others in due course. All supporters located in the singing section will be invited to collaborate on a code of conduct for the area to be introduced for the new season.
“The club would also like to remind supporters of the importance of upholding the same behavioural standards expected of Rangers supporters at Ibrox in attending away matches, both domestically and in Europe.
“The club’s strongest asset is its supporters, and the noise and colour provided by the singing section is hugely appreciated by everyone at the club.
“However, that backing cannot bring the name of Rangers into any further disrepute, nor compromise spectator safety within Ibrox and the club shall take action it deems necessary to prevent any harm that may be caused.”
Rangers already face UEFA partial stadium closure
Rangers’ threat to withdraw the Ibrox signing section completely next season comes after UEFA’s suspended partial stadium closure punishment.
This came alongside the club’s €30,000 fine for displaying a banner deemed ‘racist and discriminatory’ against Fenerbahce in March.
If there are any more breaches of this nature in European games at Ibrox within the next two years, the Copland Road Stand will be closed for one match.
Rangers promised to issue lifetime bans to the offenders who organised and/or displayed the banner, which read: “KEEP WOKE FOREIGN IDEOLOGIES OUT. DEFEND EUROPE.”
