Rangers escape sectarian action

RANGERS have escaped punishment following outbreaks of sectarian singing among a section of their fans at the away match with Inverness Caledonian Thistle earlier this month.

But the Ibrox club have been told that a repeat episode could see the club reported to the SPL Commission, where they will run the risk of sanctions against the club. These include fines, the deduction of points and even expulsion. On this occasion, however, no action will be taken despite the SPL confirming there had been outbreaks of sectarian chanting during the course of the match on 4 August, which Rangers won 3-0.

However, police could not identify any specific individuals taking part in this singing and made no arrests, although Rangers stewards, planted by the club among the away support, were able to report a number of individuals who were involved in unacceptable conduct. The SPL has accepted Rangers' pledge to deal with these fans in-house and also the argument that the club had done everything it could to prevent such behaviour from their supporters at the match.

The SPL noted "there had been incidents of unacceptable conduct during the course of the match involving sectarian singing and chanting by an element of the Rangers fans present at the match". However, the SPL board took into account the club's efforts to eradicate such conduct by some of their supporters. Rangers voluntarily provided a number of additional stewards at the match, whose primary task was to work within the away support to identify anyone engaged in sectarian singing. A number were reported back to the club, with Rangers poised to act on the information received.

Measures are likely to include the revocation of ticketing rights, removal of season tickets and life bans from Ibrox.

The SPL has chosen to let Rangers deal with the miscreants and applauded the "very extensive" steps taken by the club to work with its supporters on the issue of unacceptable behaviour. Both Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Rangers co-operated fully with the inquiry and contributed two sets of detailed written material.

"The SPL received full answers from the clubs to questions addressed to them and interviewed the chief executives of each of the two clubs," said the statement. "The reports from the SPL match delegate and the match report prepared by the match commander appointed by Northern Constabulary were also considered."

Rangers have been fined more than £21,000 by UEFA for similar offences in Champions League and UEFA Cup ties but the SPL proved a more lenient body. Iain Blair, the SPL company secretary, stressed that the "SPL is fully committed to working with its clubs, other football authorities and the police to develop and implement strategies which will lead to the eradication of unacceptable conduct, particularly sectarianism, within football in Scotland."

The findings were welcomed by Rangers chief executive Martin Bain. "We are pleased the SPL has recognised that our club had done everything it could to prevent unacceptable conduct by supporters at the match against Inverness Caledonian Thistle," he said.

"The SPL has made clear what is expected of clubs and I am pleased that the board has recognised the substantial efforts this club makes in tackling unacceptable behaviour. This decision does not mean that offensive singing and chanting will be tolerated.

"Unacceptable conduct by some fans at the match in question has been condemned not only by this club but by every major Rangers supporters' organisation and it is in everyone's interests this type of behaviour is eradicated."