UEFA 'unlikely' to launch probe

UEFA are "very likely” to launch an investigation into incidents during Rangers’ defeat against Osasuna last week, which saw Gers fans clash with Spanish police.

The Glasgow club complained about “heavy-handed policing” as Rangers crashed out of Europe with a 1-0 defeat in the away leg of the UEFA Cup last-16 clash on Wednesday.

And Rangers could face charges over discriminatory chants after the governing body were alerted to footage posted on the internet which appears to show some of their fans singing sectarian songs after the match.

UEFA have received the security officer’s report into the game and will soon make their decision on whether either or both of the clubs face charges.

A UEFA spokesman told PA Sport: “We have received the last report we were waiting for. Now UEFA will look into the matter.

“It is very likely we will start an investigation regarding this match.

“If an investigation is started this would then be dealt with by the control and disciplinary body, at the end of March or beginning of April.

“The disciplinary team is reading through this report and after that we will take the official decision.”

Rangers supporters claimed riot police charged into their section for no reason, lashing out with sticks, fists and kicks before, during and after the match in Pamplona.

The Glasgow club officially complained to UEFA about the lack of segregation and standard of policing at the El Sadar stadium.

Rangers received 1,400 tickets for the game but many more visiting fans gained access to the ground.

UEFA confirmed they were “fully aware” of the footage of alleged sectarian singing, less than a year after fining Rangers about £13,000 (€19,000) for discriminatory chanting in a Champions League tie against Villarreal.

John Macmillan, secretary of the Rangers Supporters’ Clubs, called for bigoted fans to be jailed as he fears the club will face sanctions – such as being forced to play behind closed doors.

“The club and the majority of the supporters have done their damnedest to eradicate this kind of thing,” he said.

“Now these morons have come out with this nonsense and I really don‘t know what can be done to sort this out now.

“It doesn’t matter how often they are told, some people will just not listen to the club.

“I just hope the pictures are clear enough that Rangers can identify some of these people because they should be locked up and left to lie in jail.

“It’s an absolute disgrace and heaven knows what UEFA will do about it – I’m frightened to even think about it.”

Macmillan added: “Things were going nicely until this latest situation and no-one can defend it. No right-minded person could condone it.

“We all know the consequences after the Villarreal game and we know the sanctions that could be imposed by UEFA.

“The club has made several appeals and no real fan would behave like this knowing the sanctions we could face, such as playing behind closed doors.

“I think the people who were involved would do the same whether they were at a football match or not – they are not real football fans.”