Ex-FIFA official warns of UEFA stadium closure punishment after ugly scenes in Rangers v Dortmund
We’re delighted to welcome former Premier League referee Keith Hackett as our exclusive Rangers columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Ibrox…
Keith Hackett warns that stadium closures can be dished out by UEFA after Borussia Dortmund fans confronted home fans at Ibrox ahead of Rangers’ Europa League win over them on Thursday night.
Before kick-off in the second leg of the Europa League play-off, which Rangers won 6-4 on aggregate, video footage from fans shows a group of Dortmund fans jumping over advertising hoardings and trying to approach the home support.
The Athletic journalist Jordan Campbell reported that police managed to halt the Dortmund fans as they marched towards the home section of the Broomloan Stand.
Hackett didn’t comment on the severity of the incident at Ibrox on Thursday night but he did point out that UEFA do not hold back when it comes to punishing clubs for fan disorder.
Speaking to Ibrox News, former FIFA and Premier League referee Hackett said: “On crowd incidents in UEFA games, UEFA are very, very tough.
“What happens is there’s a match delegate who’s a representative of UEFA at a game and he will report on that.
“The usual scenario is UEFA takes a very tough line and in the past, this is where they’ve invoked stadium bans.
“It depends on the actual content of the report from the match observer.
“One of his roles is, before the teams come out, to actually go outside the stadium first of all and have a look at security arrangements.
“And because these games are televised, video evidence will be available so watch this space.”
Rangers and Dortmund played out a 2-2 draw at Ibrox on Thursday night, meaning the Light Blues advanced to the last-16 of the Europa League.
On Friday, they were drawn to play Serbian giants Crvenda Zvezda.
In other Rangers news, Kris Boyd was blown away by this “unbelievable” player in the second leg against Dortmund.