Rangers ‘unequivocally’ condemn disorder after Celtic cup clash

Rangers have “unequivocally” condemned the disorder which erupted after last weekend’s Scottish Cup showdown against Old Firm rivals Celtic.

Fans ran on to the Ibrox pitch after Celtic triumphed on penalties in Sunday’s game – with both police officers and members of the public being injured in clashes that took place.

Rangers have now said those convicted could face being banned from the stadium as well as the “potential withdrawal of ticketing privileges”.

That came as the club said there should be a “thorough and wide-ranging” investigation into what happened.

First Minister John Swinney has already branded the violence that erupted as being “completely and utterly unacceptable” while Police Scotland chief constable Jo Farrell described events as “absolutely disgraceful”.

Speaking to MSPs on Wednesday, she complained there was “still no commentary from either of those clubs in respect of the violence that was witnessed”.

On Thursday, Rangers issued a statement saying: “The disorder that occurred on Sunday was unacceptable and we condemn it unequivocally.”

Stressing that “safety must always come first in football, for supporters, players and everyone working in and around the game”, the club praised staff, stewards and the emergency services for their efforts in “extremely difficult circumstances on the day”.

Adding that there are “a number of serious issues which require proper examination”, the club said it agreed there should be “a fully independent review into the events surrounding the match”.

Rangers said: “That review must be thorough and wide-ranging, examining the decisions and actions of all relevant parties.

“Its scope must include the broader context around this fixture, from the initial decisions on ticket allocations through to the sequence of incidents that followed the match.

“All parties must be prepared to have their actions and decision-making subjected to proper scrutiny.”

The Ibrox club also vowed that if individuals were identified and convicted of offences the club would act, saying it would “impose appropriate sanctions, including the potential withdrawal of ticketing privileges and stadium bans”.

Rangers said they had been “appalled to discover graffiti within the stadium” after the match referring to the Ibrox disaster of 1971, when 66 fans lost their lives.

“To desecrate their memory is vile,” the club insisted.

“It is cowardly. It is shameful. This is not football rivalry and it is not banter. It is the abuse of a tragedy that claimed 66 lives.”

The club went on to state it was “important that the reputation of Rangers supporters is treated fairly”, adding that “tens of thousands of people attended Ibrox on Sunday simply to support their team with pride and to watch a football match”.

Rangers added: “We will not accept a narrative that ignores the full context of what happened.”