Rangers fans will not be able to attend Europa League game v Lyon
Rangers have announced that supporters will not be able to attend the Europa League game away in Lyon on Thursday (9 December).
Following drawn-out discussions with the French authorities, it was confirmed last week that (2 December) that 2,200 supporters would be allowed to travel.
However, this has decision has now been reversed due to a festival of light happening in Lyon on the same evening as the game which will limit police resources.
An official club statement from Rangers read:
“We regret to inform our travelling support that, within the last hour, we have been notified by the French Minister of the Interior, that away fans including corporate guests will not be admitted on Thursday night to the Groupama Stadium in Lyon, France.
“However, only late last week they agreed that we could have 2200 supporters admitted. The decision to reverse this is bemusing, and extremely frustrating, given the short notice. It beggars belief that 3 days after that decision was taken and 3 days before the match is due to be played, it is our supporters who are now going to be left out of pocket by this decision by the French interior minister.
“Rest assured, we have made representations to UEFA, OL and the French authorities. However, regrettably, this situation is now out with our control.
“Nevertheless, we are duty bound to ask all supporters including corporate guests to not travel to France.
“We appreciate the frustration of our support, and will work to ensure a refund for tickets is processed forthwith.”
Chaos
From start to finish, this has been dealt with terribly.
There was an alarming lack of clarity in the first place, with the club unable to get an answer from the French authorities about whether fans would be able to attend the game.
When an announcement was finally made that they could, it seemed as if the situation had been sorted.
However, supporters were then told that they would be banned from Lyon city centre because of the festival of light [Scottish Sun].
To now be told that they cannot even attend the match – just three days before it takes place – is just a shambles.
Although Rangers will hopefully be able to sort refunds for those who had bought tickets, supporters will still have paid significant money for travel and accommodation for the fixture.
There will be justifiable anger from those who had planned to make the trip this week.
In other Rangers news, Giovanni van Bronckhorst needs to give more game time to this youngster or risk losing him in January.