Rangers pay penalty for fan troubles

Rangers fans have been found guilty of discriminatory behaviour by UEFA and handed a one-match away ban in Europe.

The Scottish club has also been fined a total of 80,000 euros by UEFA’s disciplinary body, who took umbrage with fans singing sectarian chants during the home and away legs of Rangers’ Europa League tie with Dutch outfit PSV Eindhoven last month.

For the charge relating to the away leg, Rangers were fined 40,000 euros and barred from selling tickets to supporters for the club’s next two away fixtures in any UEFA club competition.

The second match, however, is suspended for a probationary period of three years.

For the charge relating to the home leg, Rangers were fined another 40,000 euro and ordered play their next home fixture behind closed doors, although this punishment was also suspended for three years.

Rangers, who were not permitted any representation at the hearing, have three days to appeal the sanctions.

A UEFA statement said: “Following a charge of discriminatory behaviour at the first leg match against PSV Eindhoven on March 10, 2011, Rangers FC have been fined 40,000 euro and the club is restricted from selling any tickets to its supporters for two away matches in UEFA club competitions (with the respective home clubs also not authorised to sell tickets to Rangers FC supporters).

“This ban applies to Rangers FC’s 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 euro for discriminatory behaviour at the second leg match on March 17 and ordered Rangers FC to play their next home UEFA club competition match behind closed doors.”

“This sanction is however deferred for a probationary period of three years.”

Thu 28 April, 2011

Rangers pay penalty for fan troubles

Rangers fans have been found guilty of discriminatory behaviour by UEFA and handed a one-match away ban in Europe.

The Scottish club has also been fined a total of 80,000 euros by UEFA’s disciplinary body, who took umbrage with fans singing sectarian chants during the home and away legs of Rangers’ Europa League tie with Dutch outfit PSV Eindhoven last month.

For the charge relating to the away leg, Rangers were fined 40,000 euros and barred from selling tickets to supporters for the club’s next two away fixtures in any UEFA club competition.

The second match, however, is suspended for a probationary period of three years.

For the charge relating to the home leg, Rangers were fined another 40,000 euro and ordered play their next home fixture behind closed doors, although this punishment was also suspended for three years.

Rangers, who were not permitted any representation at the hearing, have three days to appeal the sanctions.

A UEFA statement said: “Following a charge of discriminatory behaviour at the first leg match against PSV Eindhoven on March 10, 2011, Rangers FC have been fined 40,000 euro and the club is restricted from selling any tickets to its supporters for two away matches in UEFA club competitions (with the respective home clubs also not authorised to sell tickets to Rangers FC supporters).

“This ban applies to Rangers FC’s 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 euro for discriminatory behaviour at the second leg match on March 17 and ordered Rangers FC to play their next home UEFA club competition match behind closed doors.”

“This sanction is however deferred for a probationary period of three years.”

Thu 28 April, 2011

Scottish Premier League wrap: Hamilton´s troubles continue

Hamilton Academical’s Scottish Premier League relegation worries deepened following a 1-0 defeat to Aberdeen on Tuesday.

Christopher Maguire’s penalty in the 30th minute at Pittodrie handed hosts Aberdeen all three points.

Craig Brown’s side remain ninth but are now 15 points clear of bottom side Hamilton, who are five points adrift of second-last St Mirren.

Flavio Paixao sent an early chance for visitors Hamilton harmlessly over the bar, while former Birmingham City trainee Sone Aluko should have put Aberdeen in front on 13 minutes but volleyed wide from the back post.

Striker Mickael Antoine-Curier headed over for the visitors and Dougie Imrie also missed, but Hamilton have not won in the league since October and their odds of ending that abysmal run lengthened considerably when Jim McAlister fouled the lively Aluko inside the box.

Striker Maguire – on penalty duty in place of the benched Paul Hartley – converted the spot kick for his ninth goal of the season.

The unmarked Alexander Diamond should have made it 2-0 when he headed wide from Aluko’s corner on 43 minutes.

Soon after the restart Maguire disposed defender Martin Canning and played in Robert Milsom, but the midfielder put his shot just wide of the post.

Hamilton spurned a glorious opportunity to equalise on 50 minutes when Imrie shot straight at goalkeeper Jamie Langfield rather than passing to Antoine-Curier.

Maguire should have put the result beyond doubt when he took possession after a mistake from Irishman David Elebert, but despite missing the resulting chance Aberdeen saw off a late effort from Imrie to hang on for the win.

In Tuesday’s other match, St Johnston played out a 0-0 draw against visitors Dundee United at McDiarmid Park.

Dundee United remain seventh after the draw, with St Johnstone a place behind in eighth.

They are level on 30 points, but St Johnstone have played two matches more.

Wed 23 February, 2011