Rangers fans urge UEFA toget tough

RANGERS’ fans have urged UEFA to take tough sanctions against FK Zeta after DaMarcus Beasley and Jean-Claude Darcheville were subjected to racist abuse during Tuesday night’s Champions League clash.

UEFA have launched an investigation into the chants that overshadowed a fine 1-0 win for the Gers. Beasley responded to the taunts by scoring the only goal of the game to take Rangers into the third qualifying round with a 3-0 aggregate victory.

The USA international has called for action to be taken, as did the Rangers Supporters Trust.

Chants certain to fall foul of the Scottish Premier League’s guidelines on “unacceptable conduct” were heard coming from the Rangers end during their 3-0 win at Inverness on Saturday.

The club could face sanctions including censure, fine, stadium closure or even points deduction after the chants were reported in the SPL match delegate’s report.

But Tuesday night the attention swung away from the Rangers fans, whose songs have seen the club fined by UEFA for “discriminatory chanting” during each of the last two seasons.

And Rangers Supporters Trust chairman David Edgar called on UEFA to take heavy action against Zeta.

He said: “UEFA were very quick to take action against Rangers for something which most people would agree needs to be tackled.

“We would be looking for similar action. I think what is required initially is a very large fine and then forcing them to play behind closed doors if it continues.”

UEFA admit racism is a problem in eastern Europe, and Edgar believes the time has come for tougher measures. He said: “Every time we get a draw over there it happens, and in international football. It just seems to be accepted. It was disgusting. I met a few of the guys who came back and they said it was constant. It was pretty clear that the club didn’t have any control over their supporters.”

The UEFA delegate’s report mentions the chants and missile-throwing but the governing body did not wait to receive it before announcing their inquiry early yesterday morning.

Director of communications William Gaillard said: “We have enough circumstantial evidence to begin our investigation. Our policy is zero tolerance against racism. The control and disciplinary body is an independent commission and it is for them to decide, but it is one of our priorities to eradicate this, it is a major concern.”