UEFA to give verdict on Rangers fans
ALAN PATTULLO

UEFA's control and disciplinary body will meet at lunchtime today in Nyon and make a decision that will have wide ramifications on football in Europe, and specifically Scottish clubs.

Rangers supporters stand accused of acts of hooliganism and sectarianism during the Champions League clash between the Ibrox club and Villarreal. Discriminatory songs sung at both matches by the Rangers fans form the basis for this charge, but Ibrox officials have lodged a comprehensive written defence detailing recent efforts to eradicate sectarianism at games.

UEFA's control and disciplinary body will consider this plea when it sits this afternoon. Its findings will be relayed to the club later today, after which an official statement will be issued. Rangers have no representative present in Switzerland and will wait with a degree of trepidation as UEFA seeks to drive through recent recommendations to rid the game of all forms of discrimination.

Last season Steaua Bucharest were ordered to play their next UEFA Cup home match in a stadium 250km from their own ground after fans made monkey noises at Shelbourne substitute Joseph Ndo in the final minutes of a Champions League second qualifying-round tie.

But it is UEFA's bid to crack down on sectarianism which is likely to have most impact on Scottish football, with Hearts and Rangers joining Celtic in Europe next season. If Rangers are found guilty, one measure available to UEFA is banning the team from European competition next season. The club might also face a fine or be ordered to close certain parts of their stadium for future games.

UEFA's desire to have a zero tolerance policy on any kind of discrimination and expressions of hate has been reinforced by recent FIFA changes to its disciplinary code. FIFA has threatened to deduct World Cup points from nations competing in Germany this summer should their fans violate this new code of conduct.

Whatever course of action UEFA's ten-strong disciplinary committee decides to take against Rangers this afternoon, if any, the issue has prompted renewed appeals from clubs regarding the behaviour of their supporters.

UEFA director of communications William Gaillard this week stressed that Rangers have not been singled out for special attention. Celtic, too, will feel the force of UEFA's power should the match delegate at any of their fixtures next season include the singing of offensive songs in his report. "Nobody is above the law," said Gaillard. "They will be scrutinised just like every other club in Europe."

In response, Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell yesterday urged fans to be on their best behaviour in future, with the club's Fair Play award for the conduct of the supporters at the UEFA Cup final in Seville no guarantee of immunity from future penalties should a minority step out of line. "We welcome Mr Gaillard's comments which acknowledge that every club in Europe will receive the same treatment from UEFA," he said.

"We have heard nothing from UEFA and, indeed, the last time we were in direct contact with UEFA was when they presented the Celtic supporters with the Fair Play Award in recognition of their behaviour at the UEFA Cup final in 2003.

"There appears to be an attempt in today's press to drag Celtic into a debate and a situation in which we are not involved. However, as a club we are not complacent and will continue to remind supporters of their responsibilities in following the club, whether here in Scotland or anywhere in Europe.

"We do accept we have our own issues, particularly with a section of our away support, and we will continue to tackle this and take action where appropriate."

Source: http://sport.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=557502006

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