UEFA FINE RANGERS: ANOTHER TAKEOVER TORPEDO?
- BY LIAM CARRIGAN
- Mar 26
- 3 min read
In a stunning move, that surprised, well, no-one actually, UEFA issued Rangers with yet another fine for racism and discriminatory behavior.
UEFA Fine Rangers 30,000 Euros and Threaten Stand Closure
Rangers actually faced a total of 4 different charges from UEFA over their recent match with Fenerbahce.
In addition to the charge of displaying a racist and/or discriminatory banner (take your pick with that one I suppose), Rangers were also fined for their fans throwing missiles at opposing players, the blockage of passageways (in breach of safety rules), and improper conduct by their players.
That last one is a bit vague, after all, to you and I the mere thought of pulling on that jersey in the first place probably constitutes improper conduct!
Most damning of all though was UEFA’s threat to close part of Ibrox if any more infractions occur.
Fan Ban Suspended for 2 Years
If Rangers fans commit any more “racist or discriminatory acts” in the next two years, in European competition, then The Copland Road Stand will be closed for the following game.
Will the fans learn to behave themselves?
Online responses seem to suggest the answer is “Nah, of course not!”
Club Issues Another Statement (And it’s Even Been Spell-Checked)
In a surprisingly coherent response, Rangers said via their own website: "This punishment must serve as a severe and significant reminder to the small minority of supporters who bring the name of Rangers into disrepute.
The statement continued: “Any repeat of any discriminatory behaviour (and this also includes the singing of illicit songs) may result in the famed ‘Rangers end’ of our home being closed for a UEFA match.”
“Small minority?” well, if you believe that then please get in touch. I’ve got some magic beans and crypto-currency to sell you!
Talk is Cheap, Will They Act?
Reading further into the statement, I’ll be interested to see if they actually follow up on this little gem: “In response to the displaying of the racist and/or discriminatory banner at the Fenerbahce game, the club can confirm that it is in the process of issuing lifetime bans to the individuals responsible.”
That’ll be the Union Bears permanently walking away from Ibrox then?
No, not likely.
Another Statement Not Aimed at the Fans
Let’s get down to the main point of this issue. Once again, this isn’t a statement made by the Rangers board because of morality, or the sudden evolution of some semblance of a social conscience. It’s about money, pure and simple.
Little by little, the Americans contemplating investing in Scotland’s Shame, are peeling back the shiny blue wallpaper to reveal the poisonous smear of hatred, racism and bigotry concealed below.
This statement is an attempt to pacify them, not to actually get Rangers’ fans to behave themselves.
If Bans Follow, I’ll be Shocked, and Slightly Impressed
As I said before, its easy to make superficial statements like this, when your intended audience is a group of (you hope) exceptionally gullible rich people. But these guys didn’t become rich by being nice, or by suffering fools gladly.
Unless Rangers actually follow through with their lifetime bans pledge, then it’s all just more performative nonsense. Performative nonsense which will not fool investors, some of whom, if reports are to be believed, have already seen what Rangers are all about and thought: “Nope!”
They Bring it On Themselves
As I keep saying, the funniest part of all of this, is that, as a clearer picture emerges, it seems that, in the beginning anyway, there was indeed a contingent of American investors expressing an interested in making some kind of investment at Ibrox.
However, since then, its been one PR disaster after another for Scotland’s youngest senior club. The Daily Record and other brown-nosers in the Scottish press have done their best to keep the narrative on track, but, as I told you weeks ago, the cracks were already showing even then.
Enjoy the Show Folks
Still, I won’t pretend it isn’t funny, watching decades of racism at Ibrox finally come back to bite them in real time.
If Karma is real, then this is surely it, in its purest form.
