Rangers tell ’embarrassing’ fans behind ‘shameful’ banner to stay away after Uefa charge

Rangers tell ’embarrassing’ fans behind ‘shameful’ racist banner to stay away after being handed a charge from Uefa this week.

UEFA have charged Rangers over a “racist and/or discriminatory” banner in the stands at their Europa League match with Fenerbahce last week.

The club described it as “shameful” and have called on the fans responsible to “disassociate yourself with the club immediately”.

The banner read in full: “Keep woke foreign ideologies out. Defend Europe.”

Rangers banner with this message at home to Fenerbahce tonight…

“Keep woke foreign ideologies out. Defend Europe” pic.twitter.com/oC93tVJqJE

— Football Away Days (@FBAwayDays) March 13, 2025

Club Statement.

— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) March 19, 2025

The club said, in a statement via rangers.co.uk: EVERYONE associated with Rangers Football Club will undoubtedly have enjoyed the last fortnight, with the men’s first-team producing some memorable results at home and abroad.

Contributing enormously to these occasions has been the backing of the Rangers supporters, with the world once again taking note of the phenomenal passion the club’s fans bring to these big occasions.

It is, however, deeply saddening and frankly embarrassing that the club is now set to face significant sanctions for the actions of a very small minority.

Firstly, the club has been charged by UEFA after a handful of supporters displayed what UEFA describe as a “racist and/or discriminatory banner” at last Thursday’s Ibrox meeting with Fenerbahce.

Rangers is a modern, progressive football club, and we are fiercely proud of our diverse playing squads, workforce and support. For the club to be charged with such a matter in 2025 is shameful, and the disdain for those responsible will be shared by the overwhelming majority of our supporters.

This charge will bring consequences for the club, while the club is also working to identify those responsible and will ensure they also face consequences.

For the avoidance of doubt, if you do not believe in 2025 that absolutely everyone is welcome to follow Rangers whether at Ibrox or away, then Rangers is not the club for you, and you should disassociate yourself with the club immediately.

Further, the club has also been charged by UEFA for the throwing of objects at the home match with Fenerbahce.

This is becoming a regular occurrence, not just at Rangers matches, but across stadia in Scotland. Indeed, our players and staff were targeted with missiles at Parkhead on Sunday.

Focusing on Ibrox, however, there was a widely-reported incident in the January Old Firm game, whilst at the recent game with Motherwell, one of our own supporters was hit and injured by an object thrown towards the away end. And now, the club faces a sanction for the actions of an individual last Thursday night.

This senseless and criminal behaviour has no place in sport, nor in society. Again, if you think such behaviour is acceptable, you are not welcome at Rangers matches.

The club will also face a UEFA sanction for the blocking of passageways at the Fenerbahce match. Supporters are urged to follow the advice of stewards and police at all matches, and to take their own seat to avoid this issue occurring again.

Lastly, and despite clear warnings to the contrary, pyrotechnics were used by two individuals following Sunday’s Old Firm victory at Parkhead.

This runs the risk of an additional 800 of our supporters being unable to attend a match in the latter stages of the Premier Sports Cup at Hampden, in addition to the 500 that will already miss out as a result of the use of pyrotechnics.

All of the above behaviours will have consequences for the club, and either directly or indirectly, the club’s supporters.

Rangers as a club will stand alongside our supporters, and advocate for their rights and their ability to support the team in the most passionate ways possible within the confines of the law and the appropriate regulations.

However, the club also calls on all reasonable supporters to wholeheartedly reject any behaviour which brings the name of Rangers into disrepute, and to assist the club by challenging any issues which will lead to the club being punished further by the relevant authorities.

Twitter users reacted as Rangers tell ’embarrassing’ fans behind ‘shameful’ banner to stay away after the Uefa charge…

@McDougall1994: A terrific statement from Rangers. Those backing that banner last week should be absolutely embarrassed the club are now having to defend itself against racism charges.

@GrahamSpiers: “For the avoidance of doubt, if you do not believe in 2025 that absolutely everyone is welcome to follow Rangers whether at Ibrox or away, then Rangers is not the club for you, and you should disassociate yourself with the club immediately.” Wow Rangers 👏 what a statement.

@BBCchrismclaug: Very strong statement from Rangers. “For the avoidance of doubt, if you do not believe in 2025 that absolutely everyone is welcome to follow Rangers whether at Ibrox or away, then Rangers is not the club for you, and you should disassociate yourself with the club immediately.”

@moonman1873: Long overdue that the club produced a statement of this strength on a segment of the support’s conduct. Maybe a sign that the takeover is happening and the new owners won’t ignore such issues in the future? Either way – it’s very welcome.

@samdavisjnr: Outstanding from Rangers. Knuckle dragging dinosaurs are needing left in the dark ages 💙

@DensParkChoir: In all seriousness, we rip into rangers an awful lot so it’s only fair that we shout out when they do good. Strong statement. Well done rangers. Football for all 💙