Rangers warn fans over chants

Rangers have urged their fans not to land them with another fine as they prepare to take on Molde in the UEFA Cup.

The Ibrox club were fined £13,300 (€19,600) by UEFA for “discriminatory chanting” in last season’s Champions League matches against Villarreal.

Thursday’s first leg tie in Norway is Rangers’ first involvement in European football since being punished.

And club bosses have warned travelling fans to keep it clean – or face being punished themselves.

Ibrox head of safety Laurence Macintyre said: “Since the start of the season we have had a tremendous response from our supporters at Ibrox. They have stopped singing the songs that led to us being fined by UEFA.

“We have to build on that progress at away games, both domestically and in Europe. We are proud of the overwhelming majority of our supporters and the great loyalty they have to Rangers – but we must realise that if sectarian behaviour does not stop action will be taken against the club.

“The club will also take action against the minority of fans who choose to behave inappropriately.”

Rangers stepped up their efforts to stamp out bigotry at the start of the season by issuing fans with a “Wee Blue Book”, containing songs deemed by club bosses and supporters groups as suitable to be sung at games.

Activities for the UEFA Cup tie will include an anti-sectarian video played on all official travel buses, anti-sectarian cards being issued with every match ticket and email and website appeals.

Rangers great Sandy Jardine believes the trip to Norway provides fans with the ideal opportunity to repair the club’s damaged reputation in Europe.

He said: “Our club has just celebrated 50 years of playing in Europe and not many teams can claim that kind of European pedigree.

“That is a great record and we want to be known for what we are – one of the best football clubs in Europe.

“We know the eyes of Europe are on us since we were fined and we have to do everything we can to eradicate offensive and sectarian chanting.

“The vast majority of our fans fully support this and the minority who persist in tarnishing the name of one of Europe’s great clubs must realise they are putting the club at real risk.

“If sectarian chanting continues then the club faces heavy financial penalties, being thrown out of Europe or playing matches behind closed doors. The threat is very real and we have to respond to it.”