‘Rangers must sign Scottish FA agreement for suspended fine’ after latest grim scenes – Exclusive
Rangers are in hot water with the Scottish FA yet again.
Despite several punishments, Rangers fans let off pyrotechnics yet again in the 3-0 win over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on Saturday evening.
It comes only weeks after Rangers and Celtic fans saw their attendances reduced for the Premier Sports Cup semi-final at Hampden Park for the use of pyrotechnics last season.
That hasn’t stopped them, and in the latest grim scenes on 6 December, an 11-year-old boy suffered facial injuries after the unnecessary display at Rugby Park.
Rangers could now face the consequences of that.
Rangers must sign Scottish FA fine agreement
Keith Hackett believes the time has come for the Scottish FA to fine Rangers, suspended at first, with a written agreement in place for that money to be deposited should fans break the law again.
Speaking exclusively to Ibrox News, the ex-FIFA official admitted that the image of the game is being consistently tarnished, and something must be done.
“My view is that the Scottish FA should place a fine of £250,000, suspended for 12 months,” Hackett said.
“If at any time in the 12-month period they breach a written agreement based on improving both on and off-field behaviour, they lose that money, which is deposited with the Scottish FA at the time the agreement is signed.
“This, I think, is the course that should be taken.
“The lines of communication clearly need to be improved, and generally not in the public domain.
“The image of the game is being tarnished here.“
This is not the first time Rangers have been in trouble
UEFA have also sent several warnings to Rangers over fan behaviour.
The Bears were also fined just over £17,000 over pyrotechnics that were set off in the Champions League qualifying defeat at Club Brugge earlier this season.
Rangers released a statement after that, warning fans, but it has clearly not worked.
A six-figure fine would be drastic based on previous case studies, but after these awful scenes where a young fan was injured so unnecessarily, it may just be needed.
It will only get worse if it continues after that, too.
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