Rangers fined over fans' sectarian behaviour

Rangers have been fined €19,500 after the appeal against the decision to find the club not guilty of discriminatory chanting was partially upheld by UEFA’s appeals body.

The Ibrox club have also been “severely warned about their responsibility for any future misconduct of their supporters in relation to sectarian and discriminatory behaviour”.

The verdict comes after UEFA’s control and disciplinary body last month cleared Rangers fans of ‘discriminatory chanting’ during the Champions League clash with Villarreal.

UEFA’s match delegate at El Madrigal, Gerhard Kapl, who had lodged the initial complaint, then appealed against the verdict.

A UEFA statement said: “UEFA’s appeals body has today partially upheld the appeal made against the control and disciplinary body’s decision concerning Scottish club Rangers FC and their UEFA Champions League first knockout round tie against Villarreal CF.

“UEFA appealed against the decision on April 12 by the UEFA control and disciplinary Body to find Rangers not guilty of alleged discriminatory chants by the club’s supporters at both legs of the tie, on February 22 at Ibrox and March 7 at El Madrigal.

“Rangers have been fined €19,500 and severely warned about their responsibility for any future misconduct of their supporters in relation to sectarian and discriminatory behaviour.”