Rangers condemn fans’ ‘inappropriate singing’

Rangers have condemned “inappropriate singing” by a minority of their supporters during Monday’s home win over Hibernian.

Sectarian chanting could be heard during Rangers' 4-2 win over Hibernian on Monday. Picture: John Devlin

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Ibrox club pledged to help the police identify the culprits. They also reminded supporters of the club’s zero tolerance policy to anti-scoial behaviour.

Sectarian singing and chanting could be heard during the 4-2 win over Hibs at Ibrox.

The Rangers statement said: “Rangers believes it is appropriate at this time to remind everyone of the Club’s position on anti-social behaviour within football grounds.

“The Club operates a zero tolerance policy and continues to work tirelessly via the Follow with Pride campaign while supporting all initiatives aimed at tackling this problem.

“The football authorities and Police Scotland know the Club is committed to eradicating all forms of unacceptable behaviour and it is disappointing that a minority engaged in inappropriate singing during the match against Hibernian at Ibrox Stadium on Monday, December 28.

“At every home and away pre-match operations meeting unacceptable conduct is included on the agenda with the attention of both the Police and Stewards drawn to the need to deal with this matter robustly.

“The Club will assist Police Scotland in identifying those responsible for the unacceptable behaviour on Monday.”

The Scottish Professional Football League is awiting its match delegate’s report on the matter.

Under current SPFL rules, clubs are exempt from any punishment so long as the board are satisfied all reasonable and practicable steps were taken to try and ensure acceptable conduct among their supporters.

On that basis, no action was taken in relation to the conduct of fans at the League Cup semi-final between Rangers and Celtic at Hampden last season when songs which fall foul of the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act were heard.

Scottish football clubs have so far rejected efforts by the Scottish FA to introduce ‘strict liability’ levels of regulation, in line with Uefa and Fifa, which would hold clubs wholly accountable for the conduct of their fans without any form of mitigation.