UEFA warning for Rangers fans

UEFA’s acting chief executive Gianni Infantino tonight reminded Rangers that sectarian chanting by supporters at their European matches could result in severe sanctions.

Rangers were beaten over two legs by Osasuna in the UEFA Cup round of 16 on Wednesday.

However, UEFA were concerned by the behaviour of a minority of Rangers supporters during the match in Pamplona, with offensive songs clearly audible.

Rangers were fined £13,000 (€19,000) by UEFA last May as a result of their supporters’ “discriminatory chanting” during the Champions League last-16 tie against Villarreal.

The fine came with a warning that further instances of sectarianism would not be tolerated, yet the problem has not been fully stamped out, despite the club’s widely praised efforts.

Infantino told BBC1 Scotland: “If sectarian singing would still continue then UEFA would certainly take measures as it has in the past.

“UEFA has even excluded a Dutch club (Feyenoord) from the UEFA Cup earlier this year because of the behaviour of the fans of this club.”