Rangers: Judge slams two PSV fans, they could face prison over ‘dangerous’ Gers incident
Two PSV fans could be facing prison sentences after setting off fireworks outside the hotel where Rangers were staying prior to their Champions League play-off second leg clash in 2022, according to a report from Eindhovens Dagblad.
Despite the disruption during the night, Rangers claimed a 1-0 victory in Eindhoven, knocking their Dutch opponents out on aggregate.
Not only did the fans’ efforts fail to yield results for their team, but it landed them in serious trouble with the law.
The report by the Dutch newspaper on 8 April details a police officer’s assessment of the pair’s crime, who said in court: “Very dangerous. These improvised fireworks can go in any direction. You light it, run away and don’t know what’s going to happen. This really does not fall into the category of mischief.”
Rangers overcome unsportsmanlike behaviour
The two fans who set off fireworks may have viewed their efforts to tilt the odds in their team’s favour as misguided, in light of the consequences they have faced.
Not only were they arrested and charged as a result of their misconduct, but their stunt failed to yield the desired results from a sporting perspective either.
Antonio Colak’s 60th-minute goal decided the tie in Eindhoven after a 2-2 draw in Glasgow the week before. Colak also scored in that fixture, cancelling out Ibrahim Sangare’s opener before Armando Obispo did the same to equalise after Tom Lawrence’s second-half effort put the Gers in front.
Rangers had already defied the odds to reach that point in the competition, overcoming a 2-0 first-leg deficit against Belgian outfit Union Saint-Gilloise with a 3-0 victory on home soil to progress 3-2 on aggregate.
The Gers’ success against PSV saw them drawn into a Champions League group which also included Napoli, Liverpool and Ajax.
In other Rangers news, Michael Stewart has continued his crusade against VAR’s decision to award the Gers a penalty in the Old Firm derby.
For more Rangers news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.