Rangers set for yet another fine after pitiful scenes at Ibrox – ex-FIFA chief
Rangers secured a 2-0 win over Hibernian in the Premier Sports Cup on a day which saw significant protests against the club hierarchy.
The Union Bears carried out protests against Russell Martin and Patrick Stewart after a woeful start to the season, after hundreds of fans gathered outside the main entrance to Ibrox.
Goals from Nicolas Raskin and Bojan Miovski secured a fairly comfortable win for Rangers, and Martin’s side have now reached the semi-final.
Rangers were recently fined by UEFA after fans used pyrotechnics, and could now face a similar punishment domestically after their protest antics.
This article contains exclusive opinion from former FIFA referee Keith Hackett.
Rangers could be fined for plastic ball protest
The Union Bears got the game suspended for a few minutes, after unfurling a banner calling for Martin’s dismissal and launching plastic balls onto the pitch.
While this was a noticeable protest, not everyone was happy with this, as it disrupted the game with the score 0-0.
- There were protests outside the ground an hour before kick-off, with fans chanting for Martin and Stewart to go.
- In the 10th minute of the game, banners were raised and the balls were launched from the Union Bears.
Speaking exclusively to Ibrox News, former FIFA referee Keith Hackett claimed that the action of throwing the balls onto the pitch could see the club receive a fine.
“What a pity that the fans protest in this way,” Hackett stated.
This disruption does not help the players and the match officials. The referee will report the matter to the authorities and I expect a fine to be imposed.“
- Read more: Nicolas Raskin shares one-word reaction to Rangers return after Russell Martin saga at Ibrox
Rangers fans divided over in-game protests
Most fans were accepting of those who protested before the game, or chose not to attend in order to force Andrew Cavenagh to make a ruthless decision over Martin.
However, if Rangers are sanctioned for the manner of the in-game protests, some fans will be frustrated, and some believe that the team needed support more than toxicity while the game was ongoing.
It is a toxic environment at Rangers at the moment, and it makes a it tough environment for players to succeed in.
Despite the win, the longer Martin stays, the more likely more protests are, and this could end up causing division in a fanbase otherwise united against the manager.
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