Rangers hit by £50m body blow as FIFA decision made

Rangers have been ruled out of contention for the newly expanded FIFA Club World Cup in 2025, meaning they will miss out on the £50million kitty in a body blow, according to The Sun.

The Ibrox club had previously harboured hopes for qualifying for the tournament, but FIFA's ruling council agreed that only co-efficient points earned in the Champions League would count towards qualification.

As a result, neither Rangers nor Celtic will come close to contention and will have to perform to the top of their game in the top UEFA competition over the next four seasons for a shot at competing in 2029.

Missing out on the top bracket

Despite Rangers' Europa League performances in recent years, including their historic victory in Seville to see them reach the knockout stages this season, the decision to only count Champions League coefficient points will see them miss out.

When looking at those teams involved, it becomes clear that it is a competition for Europe's top bracket, including the likes of Manchester City, Real Madrid and Chelsea who have already clinched places as the last three Champions League winning teams.

Other teams all but confirmed to be joining them include Bayern Munich, PSG, Inter Milan, Porto and Benfica. Rangers will, perhaps rightfully, feel aggrieved to miss out given their performances in UEFA competitions, but do they fit into that top bracket any more?

With the lack of investment and money involved in Scottish football, it would be harsh to expect Rangers to compete with these teams even in the Champions League, but it will come as a bitter blow to miss out on an extra £50million.

In other Rangers news, a BBC pundit has saluted one "brilliant human being" at Ibrox.