Rangers issue lifetime bans to fans who held illicit banner at Ibrox during Fenerbahce game

Rangers are in the process of issuing lifetime bans to supporters who displayed an illicit banner during their game against Fenerbahce.

The club face having part of Ibrox closed for future European games as a result of the banner, which was held up during the Europa League clash.

UEFA handed Rangers a suspended sentence that will could see the Copland Stand lie empty should there be any repeat of racist and/or discriminatory behaviour within the next two years.

The banner read “Keep woke foreign ideologies out. Defend Europe.”

A statement issued by the club on Tuesday said: “This punishment must serve as a severe and significant reminder to the small minority of supporters who bring the name of Rangers into disrepute.

“Any repeat of any discriminatory behaviour (and this also includes the singing of illicit songs) may result in the famed ‘Rangers end’ of our home being closed for a UEFA match.

“Not only will the reputation and finances of the club be harmed by such a punishment, but the chances of the team in a potentially key European match will also suffer enormously, while thousands of innocent fans will be unable to attend a massive fixture.”

Rangers had previously hit out at those responsible for the banner saying: “If you do not believe in 2025 that absolutely everyone is welcome to follow Rangers whether at Ibrox or away, then Rangers is not the club for you, and you should disassociate yourself with the club immediately.”

The Ibrox club have also revealed that groups responsible for the lighting of pyro during their recent match against Celtic “will be directly impacted by the 500 ticket reduction issued as a sanction the next time the club appears in the latter stages of the Premier Sports Cup at Hampden”.

The statement continued: “The club again stresses a future use of pyrotechnics at any SPFL match may lead to a further reduction of 800 tickets at a latter-stage Premier Sports Cup match.

“The strongest asset this football club has is our support, and the club knows the overwhelming majority of our supporters will be angered by these episodes and the consequences they have for the club and its supporters.

“We reiterate our call for all supporters to back the team in the correct manner, and to challenge those who seek to further damage the good name of Rangers.”