March 20 – Scottish Premiership side Rangers have condemned fans who held up a giant “anti-woke” banner during a recent UEFA Europa League (UEL) tie and admit they now face significant sanctions from UEFA.
A sign which read: “Keep woke foreign ideologies out – defend Europe” was raised during the UEL match against Fenerbahçe SK last week.
Rangers said the club have been charged by UEFA for what they described as a “racist and/or discriminatory banner.”
“For the club to be charged with such a matter in 2025 is shameful, and the disdain for those responsible will be shared by the overwhelming majority of our supporters,” the club said.
“For the avoidance of doubt, if you do not believe in 2025 that absolutely everyone is welcome to follow Rangers whether at Ibrox or away, then Rangers are not the club for you, and you should disassociate yourself with the club immediately.”
Rangers advanced to the quarter-finals of Europe’s second tier competition by defeating Fenerbahçe on penalties. They will now face Athletic Bilbao in the last eight next month.
But the incident has cast a shadow over that achievement, with the 55-time Scottish champions saying it was “deeply saddening and frankly embarrassing that the club are now set to face significant sanctions for the actions of a very small minority.”
Contact the writer of this story, Andrew Warshaw, at moc.l1743241718labto1743241718ofdlr1743241718owedi1743241718sni@w1743241718ahsra1743241718w.wer1743241718dna1743241718