Rangers fans sent clear warning as ex-FIFA official reacts to possible stadium ban
Rangers are facing UEFA sanctions after being charged with the use of pyrotechnics in the Champions League.
UEFA have issued a fine of around £16,000 to Rangers after fans used flares and pyro in their Champions League qualifying defeat to Club Brugge in August.
Rangers could still face further sanctions, with a suspended ban on ticket sales for UEFA competitions also given, which would affect them in the Europa League if implemented.
This means if Rangers fans breach that suspension over the next two years, the ban will be implemented.
Further warnings have been issued to Rangers fans over the use of fireworks and pyrotechnics, which are considered dangerous in a crowd, and even harsher punishments could be dished out.
This article contains exclusive opinion from former FIFA referee Keith Hackett.
Rangers could face further UEFA sanctions
The sanctions imposed on Rangers could see future matchday revenues at Ibrox hit hard if they are faced with bans on ticket sales, and there have been examples of UEFA increasing punishments in the past.
Speaking exclusively to Ibrox News, former FIFA referee Keith Hackett explained why Rangers are currently on very thin ice with UEFA.
“UEFA will have taken into account the security at the various grounds in Europe that Rangers have played,” Hackett explained.
“They will have taken into account the action taken by Rangers FC administration to make efforts to stop any fireworks being used by their own fans inside stadiums.
“This is a real safety issue, and UEFA will have looked carefully at previous precedents they have applied in similar situations.
“This is nothing new. I remember having to officiate a UEFA game involving Real Madrid, who had received a stadium ban, played at a neutral ground in Valencia.
“I was also scheduled to officiate Greece against Netherlands in a UEFA game. That game was switched 24 hours before kick-off from the Olympic Stadium to a ground in Rhodes.
“So the message and sanction is a clear warning to Rangers and its fans – the risk that sanctions will only be increased.“
Rangers fans need to be careful
While the legalities over pyro and other atmosphere-generating tools in stadiums can be debated, the reality is that Rangers fans could end up costing their club significant revenue if pyro continues to be used in UEFA competitions.
Another misuse could see Rangers handed a bigger fine and a stadium ban, which would mean supporters lose out on the chance to buy tickets for games at Ibrox, while the club will face unnecessary financial sanctions.
Rangers have raised ticket prices for the Europa League, and while this is a frustrating development, the fines they will have to pay for misuse of pyro may be a motivating factor behind these rises, and fans must adhere to the rules if further punishment is to be avoided.
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