Club 1872 slams lack of response from council over Rangers fanzone

A general view of fans outside Ibrox Stadium. Picture: SNS Group

The group has been in contact with council leader Susan Aitken and her deputy David McDonald after plans for a 2,000-capacity area on Edmiston Drive were scrapped - just weeks before a similar scheme at Hampden Park was backed.

Club 1872 contacted both Aitken and McDonald, but claimed that as neither had “seen fit to respond to any correspondence”, the group had published the letters sent to both politicians.

• READ MORE - Club 1872 issue lengthy statement over Rangers fanzone snub

The representatives are asked: “Why did you intervene to instruct Glasgow Life to withdraw their approval to use the Ibrox Complex pitch for a fanzone prior to the licensing hearing to assess the matter?

“Have you ever personally intervened either directly or indirectly on the granting of any other public entertainment licence?”

Aitken is also asked a third question: “How does your opposition to the improvement of the match day experience for Rangers supporting families match with your support for the improvement of the match day experience at Hampden which you recently discussed in the press?

“Do you believe that Rangers supporters are not entitled to the same improvements and facilities as those attending Hampden?”

Additionally, in the letter to McDonald, the group writes: “We have also become aware over the past few days of a number of social media comments by you which call into serious question your impartiality on this matter.

“These range from mocking the Loving Cup ceremony at Ibrox to showing your public support for the Green Brigade.

“You will be aware that the Green Brigade have been responsible for a number of sectarian and pro IRA displays.

“It is extremely concerning that as an elected representative you would support these activities, and even more so when you have directly intervened in a decision which negatively impacts Rangers Football Club.”

Both letters end: “It is our understanding that without your intervention the public entertainment licence and therefore the fanzone was very likely to have been approved.  “In that case it is correct that you answer the above questions in detail.”

In their latest statement, Club 1872 said: “As of this morning, Club 1872 has received no response to its letters to Councillors Susan Aitken and David McDonald regarding the Ibrox Fanzone.

“We are aware that David McDonald has issued a statement via social media which completely fails to address any of the question marks over their involvement.

“Since neither he nor Susan Aitken has seen fit to respond to any correspondence, we are now releasing the letters publicly.

“Until these points are answered in detail and until their role in this decision is publicly explained, Councillors McDonald, Aitken and Stephen Dornan should understand that this matter is not going to quietly disappear.”