UEFA Fines Glasgow Rangers for Descriminatory Behaviour in Europa Cup Matches

It appears UEFA has been shortsighted when issuing discipline towards the Rangers, after their alleged discriminatory behavior during matches with PSV this season.

The UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body has confirmed the following sanctions against Rangers FC, after their tie with PSV Eindhoven in the two legs of UEFA Europa League Round of 16 .

Following a charge for conduct at the first leg against PSV on March 10th, Rangers have been fined €40,000. The club is also restricted from selling any tickets to its supporters for two away matches in UEFA club competition (with the respective home clubs also not authorised to sell tickets to Rangers supporters). 

This ban applies to the Rangers' next away match and is suspended for the second away match for a probationary period of three years.

The Control and Disciplinary Body also fined the Scottish club a further €40,000 for discriminatory behaviour at the second leg in Glasgow on March 17th. They also ordered the Rangers to play their next home UEFA club competition match behind closed doors. However, this sanction is deferred for a probationary period of three years.

An appeal by the club must be made within three days of the dispatch of the reasoned decision.

Now if UEFA feels that the Rangers supporters have behaved so badly, why are their opposition being penalised with a ban on selling tickets to the Glasgow side?

Has UEFA visited grounds in Greece, Turkey, Serbia, Spain and other European football nations? The deplorable behaviour is well documented in these aforementioned countries, yet they seem to behave in any manner they want without silly policing from UEFA.

Also UEFA has been vocal about their independent "consultant" who was on his first visit to a Rangers match and, without consultation, decided that the singing involved was sectarian in nature.

Level this against some of the activities and behaviour that other clubs in Europe have within their stadiums, and the Rangers' songs pale into insignificance.

The Rangers' songs have to stop, no question. There is no place for sectarian words in the modern world. But you have to ask, is UEFA placing its priorities in the right place?

Are the Rangers being made and example of?

Rangers Fined by UEFA