Credit: Imago

Pranav Shahaney

Tue 6 May 2025 20:40, UK

BBC made a decision on Sportsound after what happened in the Old Firm derby between Rangers and Celtic.

Gers opened the scoring through Cyriel Dessers but failed to add another and that saw Celtic take advantage, with Adam Idah equalising.

The final clash between the two teams this season ended 1-1, but it was a contest marred by controversy.

BBC censor Union Bears’ tifo of Graeme Sounness on Sportsound

Per the Rangers Review, BBC opted to censor the Union Bears’ tifo that created headlines.

The tifo was an image of Graeme Souness holding a shotgun, followed by expletives.

Gers condemned the banner and it has been seized by the police and is subject to criminal investigation.

The Union Bears have taken advantage of the entire situation and have released t-shirts of the tifo, priced at £20 each.

Rangers will look to apply stricter protocols moving forward

To avoid similar incidents in the future, Rangers and the Scottish Premiership can implement stricter protocols for fan displays.

They need to ensure pre-approval of tifos and banners to prevent offensive content.

Clubs could collaborate with supporter groups to establish clear guidelines, balancing creativity with responsibility, as Gers acknowledged their trust-based approach had failed.

Enhanced oversight, including real-time monitoring during matches, could also help.

The ongoing criminal investigation into the banner may lead to charges if the display is deemed to incite violence, potentially resulting in fines or sanctions for the Ibrox if the SPFL’s match delegate report cites the incident.

The Union Bears may face restrictions on future displays, and their profiteering from tifo t-shirts, could draw further scrutiny.

Rangers are likely to tighten fan engagement policies, while the BBC’s censorship on Sportscene reflects broader media caution around controversial fan actions.