Following violent outbursts this week, UEFA may prohibit traveling supporters from attending Rangers’ Europa League last-16 match.
Later on Friday, February 21, Philippe Clement and his Ibrox team will learn who they will face in their first knockout match.
Rangers’ last-16 matches against the Norwegians and the Turks are scheduled for March 6 and 13, respectively, after Bodo/Glimt defeated FC Twente and Fenerbahce defeated Anderlecht on Thursday night.
However, Rangers supporters may have the entire Ibrox to themselves following unrest in the stands on Thursday.
When playing Rangers or Olympiakos, Fenerbahce’s away supporters risk a UEFA suspension.
Due to severe disturbances in the stands, Fenerbahce’s Thursday night match against Anderlecht was postponed for fifteen minutes.
Social media reports indicate that Fenerbahce supporters gathered in that section of Lotto Park celebrated Youssef En-Nesyri’s goal in the fourth minute, which sparked altercations in the home end.
Before riot police had to intervene, Fenerbahce players and stewards attempted to diffuse the situation.
Keith Hackett says there’s a good chance away supporters could be denied entry to Ibrox because of their alleged behavior in Belgium if Rangers draw with Fenerbahce or Bodo/Glimt in their upcoming Europa League match.
Hackett, a former FIFA and Premier League executive, told Ibrox News that “UEFA will take a very dim view that a game in their competition was delayed by 15 minutes because of acts of violence among spectators.”
“The UEFA Match Delegate at the match will have video and photo documentation to back up his thorough report to UEFA.” A thorough report will also be submitted by the match officials.
They will look into how seats were distributed and how tickets may have ended up in the hands of both groups of fans. There is typically a significant divide between home and away fans at UEFA matches, which frequently results in unsold and uncovered seats. After that, a line of stewards sits in the seats to act as a human barrier between the two groups of fans.
“Broadcasters are also under a lot of pressure due to 15-minute delays.”
Rangers and UEFA will speak.
“UEFA will hold a disciplinary meeting with the reports and evidence to hand,” Hackett continued.
They have previously barred fans from attending their teams’ games.
“I remember officiating Real Madrid at Valencia because their home game was moved to a different stadium in Spain while they were serving a stadium ban.
Additionally, I witnessed a UEFA match being transported to the Athens airport due to worries about the Dutch team’s safety. As a result, the Greece vs. Holland match was held in Rhodes the next day, with fewer than 3,000 tickets available.
“If Rangers draw Fenerbahce, there’s a good chance the Europa League match will proceed without away team fans.
“I’m confident that the Rangers administration will be fully informed so that suitable security measures are put in place for the game.”
In March, Rangers or Olympiakos will play either Bodo/Glimt or Fenerbahce in the Europa League last-16.
