Rangers to make formal complaint over fans slur in Boston newspaper

Published on Thursday 29 April 2010 11:38

RANGERS will make a formal complaint to the Boston Globe newspaper over an article which suggested supporters were to blame for the 1971 Ibrox Disaster.

• Martin Bain (inset) has said Rangers will complain to the Boston Globe newspaper

The paper has run a piece in which fears were expressed over the proposed staging of an Old Firm derby in the US city this summer - although it now appears to have been taken down from their website.

The article was critical of the behaviour of Rangers fans during a number of European away matches, including the 2008 UEFA Cup final in Manchester.

But it was the claim supporter behaviour played a part in the tragic deaths of 66 people after a derby match 39 years ago that has angered the Govan club.

The article read: "Most notably, disaster struck at Rangers' Ibrox Stadium in 1971 following a crush-barrier failure.

"It is widely accepted that the tensions between Celtic and Rangers fans played a major part in the 66 deaths."

Rangers chief executive Martin Bain told the club's official website: "Rangers fans can be assured that the reference in this article to the Ibrox Disaster in particular, which is both inaccurate and offensive, will be taken up with the newspaper in question."

Bain confirmed the club had been in discussions over playing a derby in Boston and that they were close to agreeing a friendly with DC United in Washington as well as exploring the possibility of a match in Dallas.

He said: "The game against DC United, whilst being agreed in principle, is however subject to other arrangements being put in place.

"In relation to the match against Celtic, the club is far from having anything confirmed and while we have received an extremely positive letter from the Mayor of Boston looking forward to our visit to the city, this is somewhat premature as we are still considering other pre-season options.

"It is extremely disappointing that comments in the Boston Globe do not reflect the Mayor of Boston's invitation letter to the club."