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Rangers could face suspension or Ibrox closure

UEFA warn that if Rangers fans are found guilty the club could face "a warning or reprimand right through to a suspension or closure of grounds."

05 November 2009 11:08 AM

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Rangers could face suspension or Ibrox closure

UEFA have said that they will investigate Rangers claims that the incompetence of  match officials in led to trouble in the stands. They added that Rangers could face being thrown out of Europe or have Ibrox closed.

Images of violent confrontations between fans and stewards in the Steaua Stadium were screened on TV screens across Europe. Now UEFA's director of communications Rob Faulkner has said reports from the official delegates will be considered before any action is taken.

"As far as we can establish at the moment it seems there were a number of Rangers supporters who came late into the stadium, and we need to find out why," Faulkner told Sky Sports News.

"Then there was an issue about where they were going to sit as apparently there were banners already placed there, which resulted in the request to remove some banners, which seems to have ended in a clash between stewards and some supporters.

"We'll wait until we get all the facts in from our official reports and we'll study those before we decide what to do."

He warned: "The punishments could range from a warning or reprimand right through to a suspension or closure of grounds."

Rangers fans and spokesmen were quick to slam poor organisation at the stadium which they say led to CS gas being used on fans before the match had kicked off.

Martin Bain, Rangers chief executive, admitted there had been “unacceptable” behaviour from some fans, but said he would be making representations to UEFA on behalf of the Rangers support.

He claimed a promise that four turnstiles would be open for visiting fans was not kept, causing problems which were compounded, he claimed, by police using CS gas.

Faulkner said: "If that's the case, definitely [we will look at it]. If that's what had been agreed beforehand... again we'll have this in the reports.

He added: "We should get the reports in during the course of today, and then we'll look at those. If we need to discuss with people who were there on site we will do that, and obviously we'll take action after that.”

Last updated: 05 November 2009, 11:16

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  1. Default avatar

    1. 05 Nov 2009 11:55cbeebies said

    Oh this was just brilliant Tv was it not. Yet again when the press should have been about the football and the effect that non progression in the Champions league could be financial suicide for Rangers, we are talking about morons who cannot behave themselves regardless of circumstances in the host ground. There can and never will be a viable excuse for the scenes shown on TV. With this coming on the back of the problems in Manchester Rangers Football club could find itself heavily fined or banned. Can the so called football fans seen throwing objects and kicking out at officials explain to me What they will do if Rangers is no more as a result of their disgusting behaviour

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SPL league table

Team Pld GD Pts
1 Rangers 23 40 54
2 Celtic 23 20 44
3 Hibernian 22 16 42
4 Dundee United 23 4 39
5 Motherwell 23 1 33
6 Hearts 23 -5 28
7 Aberdeen 22 -6 27
8 St Johnstone 20 -8 23
9 St Mirren 22 -11 20
10 Kilmarnock 23 -14 19
11 Falkirk 22 -18 17
12 Hamilton 22 -19 17

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