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Football

19th Mar 2025

Rangers to be charged by UEFA for ‘racist and discriminatory’ banner

Harry Warner

The club face ‘significant sanctions’

Rangers are set to be charged by UEFA for a ‘racist and discriminatory’ banner displayed in the Scottish club’s Europa League tie against Fenerbahçe.

The Glasgow team defeated their Turkish opponents in the round of 16 on penalties to reach the quarter-finals of the Europe’s second most prestigious competition.

However, one particular banner displayed by a “very small minority” of fans has lead to UEFA readying charges against the club.

The banner read “Keep woke, foreign ideologies out. Defend Europe” and displayed by a group of fans known as the ‘Union Bears’

Rangers banner
The banner displayed by Rangers fans against Fenerbahçe. Credit: Getty

The news was announced today (19 March) in an official club statement.

It read: “It is 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.

The Glasgow club has also been charged with throwing objects.

The statement added: “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.”

It is not known the extent of which Rangers will be punished, however, the side are set to play Athletic Bilboa in the quarter-finals with the first leg on 10 April.

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