UEFA Cup: No change to Rangers cup tie venue

UEFA today refused to bow to pressure from the Foreign Office to switch Rangers’ cup tie against Makhachkala away from war-torn Dagestan.

A bomb explosion in the region prompted the government to increase pressure on Europe’s soccer chiefs to sanction a switch of venue.

UEFA, however, insisted today that they are satisfied with the evidence given to them and that the first-leg tie should go ahead as scheduled.

But they emphasised that they would be watching the situation closely and would move to switch the match should the trouble in Dagestan deepen.

Mike Lee, UEFA’s director of communications, said: ‘‘No, there’s been no update.

‘‘Our people are still monitoring the situation, but at this moment in time the match should go ahead as scheduled.

‘‘Obviously we’ll continue to keep a close eye on events as always, but we have made clear that if the situation deteriorates then we will take the necessary steps.

‘‘But on the evidence available, the guarantees received and also the news from Rangers’ visit to the area it’s still in place to go ahead as planned.’’

Chechen rebels are believed to be behind the attack as a show of strength against the Russian authorities. The rebels also killed five Russian soldiers in an attack in southern Chechnya.

An Ibrox delegation of secretary Campbell Ogilvie and safety officer Laurence McIntyre were in Moscow on their way to the crisis-torn area when the bomb went off on a deserted railway line.

UEFA have already stressed they will have no hesitation in switching the game to a neutral venue if the situation deteriorates in the region.

Ogilvie is currently travelling back to Scotland and will report back to the club with his findings tomorrow.

And until the situation changes, the Glasgow giants are going ahead with plans to fly to Russia as scheduled.

A Rangers spokesperson said: ‘‘Campbell’s on his way back, but there’s no change in the situation at the moment.

‘‘There’s been no information and there won’t be any news until he gets back. We’ll still be playing there next week as far as I’m aware.’’