Sutton and Lennon “banned” from Ibrox

[CentreLine]

So BT cannot broadcast from Ibrox tonight because the The Rangers allegedly cannot trust their fans to be safe around Sutton and Lennon. It seems this shower of bigots are completely out if control.
No away fans
No Cinch sponsorship
No pundits that don’t sing their song book
No media at Ibrox unless the pay a ransom
Anything to disrupt and destabilise Scottish football.

What does this odious club have to do for the authorities to take action against them.

The media should ignore them completely other than to report truthfully on their association with religious hatred. Sponsors that associate themselves with them should be called out and they should be penalised properly by the SPFL and SFA. If that means the SFA fronting up with open details of the four (or was it five) way agreement then surely that has to offer a fresh start.

[Keith_M]

What a totally ridiculous excuse for not allowing them in to Ibrox.


I honestly can't imagine any other club getting away with something like this.

[BegbieHSC]

The zombies are just as odious as the club they let die.

Absolute **** bags - on and off the park! Imagine not being able to trust your own fans to have two pundits that don’t exactly sing their praises all the time in the ground. Despicable club, despicable fans!

[Smartie]

It’s about time that significant chunks of tv and sponsorship cash should be withheld and not passed on to Sevco, if they can’t do simple things like ensure the safety of visiting pundits.

[Highwayman]

So BT cannot broadcast from Ibrox tonight because the The Rangers allegedly cannot trust their fans to be safe around Sutton and Lennon. It seems this shower of bigots are completely out if control.
No away fans
No Cinch sponsorship
No pundits that don’t sing their song book
No media at Ibrox unless the pay a ransom
Anything to disrupt and destabilise Scottish football.

What does this odious club have to do for the authorities to take action against them.

The media should ignore them completely other than to report truthfully on their association with religious hatred. Sponsors that associate themselves with them should be called out and they should be penalised properly by the SPFL and SFA. If that means the SFA fronting up with open details of the four (or was it five) way agreement then surely that has to offer a fresh start.

The lunatics have really taken over the asylum with this one.
The trouble is that the media,SPFL and SFA are so scared of the currant buns that they don’t have the bottle to stand up to them.
The sad thing is I can’t see this changing any time in the future.

[Halmyre Hibee]

Quite simple don’t show the game if they cannot guarantee the safety of the BT employees. No game no money.

[gbhibby]

Quite simple don’t show the game if they cannot guarantee the safety of the BT employees. No game no money.
Agree 100%. What an odious club they are.

[Sir David Gray]

It's a wee bit odd that two people with huge links to Celtic were due to attend Ibrox and cover a Rangers European home game on behalf of BT Sport.

Having said that Rangers should not be allowed to just ban people from Ibrox on security grounds (basically an admission that they can't guarantee that a few of their nutjob element won't attempt to harm them) without demands being made that they address the reasons why these security concerns exist in the first place.

I'd be interested to hear what UEFA's got to say about that.

[CentreLine]

It's a wee bit odd that two people with huge links to Celtic were due to attend Ibrox and cover a Rangers European home game on behalf of BT Sport.

Having said that Rangers should not be allowed to just ban people from Ibrox on security grounds (basically an admission that they can't guarantee that a few of their nutjob element won't attempt to harm them) without demands being made that they address the reasons why these security concerns exist in the first place.

I'd be interested to hear what UEFA's got to say about that.

Not really. The coverage for the earlier Celtic game and then the the Rangers game was to be broadcast from Ibrox. Nothing sinister there.

[weecounty hibby]

It's a wee bit odd that two people with huge links to Celtic were due to attend Ibrox and cover a Rangers European home game on behalf of BT Sport.

Having said that Rangers should not be allowed to just ban people from Ibrox on security grounds (basically an admission that they can't guarantee that a few of their nutjob element won't attempt to harm them) without demands being made that they address the reasons why these security concerns exist in the first place.

I'd be interested to hear what UEFA's got to say about that.
Is it odd when Souness, Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville are the hosts for a Chelsea v Arsenal game? It's their job. Only at Ibrox among the most bigoted, racist fans in world football would it be a problem for someone to do their job

[CentreLine]

Just been a news release from Ibrox. Something along the lines of “they have complied with all the UEFA contractual requirements to let BT broadcast from Ibrox. They won’t have these two people in the ground any other speculation in helpful”

[Sir David Gray]

Not really. The coverage for the earlier Celtic game and then the the Rangers game was to be broadcast from Ibrox. Nothing sinister there.

Ok thanks didn't realise they were covering both. I take it they had people of a Rangers persuasion who were due to attend as well?

[Smartie]

It is a disgrace that Rangers act in this way and it’s shameful that they’re not taken to task for it in any way.

[Hibs90]

Ok thanks didn't realise they were covering both. I take it they had people of a Rangers persuasion who were due to attend as well?

Yup, probably Alex Rae/ McCoist

[Sir David Gray]

Is it odd when Souness, Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville are the hosts for a Chelsea v Arsenal game? It's their job. Only at Ibrox among the most bigoted, racist fans in world football would it be a problem for someone to do their job

I think that's completely different and BT normally choose pundits who have a connection to each club.

The comparison with Neil Lennon and Chris Sutton attending Ibrox for a Rangers European game would be like Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard being the pundits for a Manchester Utd European game at Old Trafford or Gary Locke and John Robertson covering one of our European games at Easter Road.

Yes I would say both would be quite odd although I wouldn't expect Hibs or Manchester Utd to say any of these people were banned on security grounds.

In any case it has been explained why they were due to be at Ibrox, which is that they were covering the Celtic game beforehand so I understand now that it wasn't just Sutton and Lennon attending Ibrox purely to cover the Rangers game which, whilst I would find rather odd it shows there is a major issue that they're deemed a security risk.

[007]

Chris Sutton's tweet on the matter.

https://twitter.com/chris_sutton73/status/1438496638012645387?s=20

[Lendo]

https://mobile.twitter.com/GFFN/status/1438498026377469954

The Lyon team bus…..

[HoboHarry]

Doubt it has anything to do with security - they know full well their moronic fan base will be belting out their sectarian/racist bile and they are trying to keep them quiet. Hope the w*****s get beaten by 5 goals.

[Lendo]

Doubt it has anything to do with security - they know full well their moronic fan base will be belting out their sectarian/racist bile and they are trying to keep them quiet. Hope the w*****s get beaten by 5 goals.

Fingers crossed they do as UEFA won’t be scared to hammer them and having them play behind closed doors again

[gbhibby]

Fingers crossed they do as UEFA won’t be scared to hammer them and having them play behind closed doors again
At least there is a Strict Liability in UEFA comps.

[CentreLine]

Ok thanks didn't realise they were covering both. I take it they had people of a Rangers persuasion who were due to attend as well?

Yeh. Ally McCoist and David Weir

[Since452]

What a horrible club. If Craig Levein couldn't come to Easter Road because of concerns for his safety I'd be utterly embarrassed and ashamed.

[CentreLine]

https://mobile.twitter.com/GFFN/status/1438498026377469954

The Lyon team bus…..

Surely that has to be photoshopped. If not, I am very glad that UEFA have strict liability. This club is completely out of control from top to bottom IMO. I can see why their fans would think they can behave like this given the rhetoric we have witnessed from the zombie club.

[NORTHERNHIBBY]

This is to do with their own fans' potential behaviour. Nothing more and nothing less.

[CentreLine]

This is to do with their own fans' potential behaviour. Nothing more and nothing less.

Whatever the reasons I hope Celtic do not do the tit for tat thing next week. This is childish, idiotic, pathetic behaviour we are seeing right now.

[Magpie]

I’m not even going to bother watching any Rangers games in Europe this season. Biased commentary and a horrible club. Best liquidated again.

[Torto7]

Count how many amazing atmospheres you hear tonight on commentary.

[LunasBoots]

BT should make a complaint to UEFA if a club cannot guarantee a member of the media's safety

[Northernhibee]

I'm sure that yet again their own fans are only protecting the team.

[Saint Hibee]

I didn’t think anything that club did could shock or surprise me anymore - I was wrong. Imagine the outcry if a club banned a black commentator because its own fans were so racist they couldn’t guarantee his safety …

[CentreLine]

I didn’t think anything that club did could shock or surprise me anymore - I was wrong. Imagine the outcry if a club banned a black commentator because its own fans were so racist they couldn’t guarantee his safety …

That’s actually a very fair point. Surely must be picked up by the SMSM. Surely…. Well maybe just a little then🤔

[007]

https://mobile.twitter.com/GFFN/status/1438498026377469954

The Lyon team bus…..

Was probably Lennon and Sutton after turning up at Ibrox only to get turned away.

[gbhibby]

Lenny seeking legal advice on loss of earnings and restraint of trade.
Court papers will be interesting Neil Lennon v The Rangers Sevco Bigots Football club Ltd et Al.

[CentreLine]

Lenny seeking legal advice on loss of earnings and restraint of trade.
Court papers will be interesting Neil Lennon v The Rangers Sevco Bigots Football club Ltd et Al.

Daily Record have this story on their site but seem to have pulled the original story. No mention of it on BT sport at either game????
Something but right here.

[JimBHibees]

https://mobile.twitter.com/GFFN/status/1438498026377469954

The Lyon team bus…..

How could that possibly be allowed to happen. Where was the bus when this took place? Assume it would have been parked somewhere with cctv e.g hotel car park.

[Allez Hibs]

So BT cannot broadcast from Ibrox tonight because the The Rangers allegedly cannot trust their fans to be safe around Sutton and Lennon. It seems this shower of bigots are completely out if control.
No away fans
No Cinch sponsorship
No pundits that don’t sing their song book
No media at Ibrox unless the pay a ransom
Anything to disrupt and destabilise Scottish football.

What does this odious club have to do for the authorities to take action against them.

The media should ignore them completely other than to report truthfully on their association with religious hatred. Sponsors that associate themselves with them should be called out and they should be penalised properly by the SPFL and SFA. If that means the SFA fronting up with open details of the four (or was it five) way agreement then surely that has to offer a fresh start.

That must be multiple breaches of contract by Rangers tonight, that's bringing the game into disrepute.

[gbhibby]

How could that possibly be allowed to happen. Where was the bus when this took place? Assume it would have been parked somewhere with cctv e.g hotel car park.
Was it one of Parks' buses.

[Lendo]

Was it one of Parks' buses.

now that would be a lovely bit of irony.

[007]

How could that possibly be allowed to happen. Where was the bus when this took place? Assume it would have been parked somewhere with cctv e.g hotel car park.

Looks like the photo was taken in the countryside.

[hibsbollah]

It’s about time that significant chunks of tv and sponsorship cash should be withheld and not passed on to Sevco, if they can’t do simple things like ensure the safety of visiting pundits.

Any other country or sport in the world, this and worse would happen.

You simply can’t mess about with tv companies or advertisers in a normal world.

[gbhibby]

now that would be a lovely bit of irony.
Douglas Park seen in executive toilet at Ibrox washing paint off his hands. 😁😁

[cabbageandribs1875]

Whatever the reasons I hope Celtic do not do the tit for tat thing next week. This is childish, idiotic, pathetic behaviour we are seeing right now.


it's a big opportunity for sellick to act like the grown up

[Allez Hibs]

McCoist and Davy Weir on BT Sport at Ibrox. Assume they were at the game anyway?

[Carheenlea]

It’s Rangers’ responsibility to ensure that everyone is safe within their stadium. Players, fans, media, directors etc. If they can’t fulfil that then surely they should be made to play behind closed doors.

[HoboHarry]

It’s Rangers’ responsibility to ensure that everyone is safe within their stadium. Players, fans, media, directors etc. If they can’t fulfil that then surely they should be made to play behind closed doors.

They have seriously opened fire on their shoes with this one. If they can't provide a safe environment then the police should be closing the ground no?

[lord bunberry]

McCoist and Davy Weir on BT Sport at Ibrox. Assume they were at the game anyway?
They were there to be the pundits for the rangers game. Sutton and Lennon were supposed to do the Celtic game. They do both games from whichever team is at home. Celtic will be at home next so both games will be presented from parkhead with pundits from both teams in the stadium.

[Smartie]

They have seriously opened fire on their shoes with this one. If they can't provide a safe environment then the police should be closing the ground no?

I'd expect the usual Caledonian suspects (police, football authorities etc) to wilt and do nothing.

BT Sport though? UEFA? A lot of money changes hands to broadcast these competitions, you piss about with institutions like these at your peril. They're less likely to be bullied by the big fish of the very small Scottish pond, even if the usual local suspects will do nothing.

Rangers are probably going to end up relying on the good nature of Sutton and Lennon not to take anything further, which might be a giggle.

[lord bunberry]

I think it’s absolutely outrageous that this has happened. Surely there has to be some sort of punishment handed out to the huns?

[vuefrom1875]

I think it’s absolutely outrageous that this has happened. Surely there has to be some sort of punishment handed out to the huns?

Sfa/spfl...withdraw there bowler hats 🤣🤨

[hibbysam]

There’s going to be nobody left through there. BBC reporter, Walker, Sutton and lennon at ibrox, Walker and Boyd from parkhead. Getting a bit stupid now.

[CMurdoch]

This is to do with their own fans' potential behaviour. Nothing more and nothing less.I think they are terrified their fans step out of line and the presence of Sutton and Lennon would have been to much for their biggest frothers not to abuse them verbally in a sectarian way which could have seen them punished by UEFA. The security excuse is a red herring.

[percy veer]

there’s going to be nobody left through there. Bbc reporter, walker, sutton and lennon at ibrox, walker and boyd from parkhead. Getting a bit stupid now.
michael stewart aswell

[Phil MaGlass]

Its maybe about time the Scot Gov stepped in and closed them down, they are out of control and answerable to no one, disgrace.

[Since452]

Is it not orange walk weekend? Tensions would have been high. Full "folk song" party mode. They were probably right, they probably weren't safe. It's 2021. So very sad.

[theonlywayisup]

Its maybe about time the Scot Gov stepped in and closed them down, they are out of control and answerable to no one, disgrace.

You honestly don't believe that's ever going to happen. It would be political suicide if a Scottish party ever suggested that, let alone restricting some of their 'activities'.

The Orange Order and TRFC are Scotland's Cancer and it's proven to be untreatable in the past and will continue to be until they treat from within.

[Hibernian Verse]

You honestly don't believe that's ever going to happen. It would be political suicide if a Scottish party ever suggested that, let alone restricting some of their 'activities'.

The Orange Order and TRFC are Scotland's Cancer and it's proven to be untreatable in the past and will continue to be until they treat from within.

It wouldn't be political suicide for the SNP, they don't have many Rangers fans voting for them bar a few on twitter.

[Moulin Yarns]

Daily Record have this story on their site but seem to have pulled the original story. No mention of it on BT sport at either game????
Something but right here.

https://www-dailyrecord-co-uk.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/rangers-fans-outraged-after-lyon-25000195.amp?amp_js_v=a6&amp_gsa=1&usqp=mq331AQKKAFQArABIIACAw%3D%3D#aoh=163187881512 92&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailyrecord.co.uk%2Fnew s%2Fscottish-news%2Frangers-fans-outraged-after-lyon-25000195

Apologies for the link.

[Torto7]

Nothing will happen from the police. This is the country where a large portion of people even non Rangers fans thought Neil Lennon was bringing the treatment he's received since being in Scotland on himself. Our club said nothing when he and Stubbs were subjected to 90 minutes of bile.

[Torto7]

It wouldn't be political suicide for the SNP, they don't have many Rangers fans voting for them bar a few on twitter.


I'm not sure that's true. Most of the sevco folk I know vote along similar lines to the rest of us. The pathetic Tory Northern branch and their vile use of sectarianism has fallen flat on its face in terms of a greater vote share for them.

[The Harp Awakes]

Nothing will happen from the police. This is the country where a large portion of people even non Rangers fans thought Neil Lennon was bringing the treatment he's received since being in Scotland on himself. Our club said nothing when he and Stubbs were subjected to 90 minutes of bile.

Sad but true.

[jacomo]

Sevco are a disgrace.

Polis should have ensured safe access to Ibrox through increased presence and billed Sevco for the cost. Something has to be done to persuade them to change their ways.

[CMurdoch]

Some strange posts on here.What has this matter got to do with the Scottish Govt or the Police?A private company, The Rangers has decided not to give access to two members of the media.A matter for BT and SPFL.It will be interesting to see if BT take action or just let it go.

[monarch]

Rangers would normally not give a toss about safe passage to Lennon or Sutton. It’s because the competition is administered by EUFA and they’ll have an observer there. The predictable racist and sectarian abuse directed at Lennon especially, which would normally go unreported during an SPFL game, would be noted by the delegate. UEFA have Rangers number on this behaviour so they don’t want to risk any sanctions.

Charming club.

[HoboHarry]

Some strange posts on here.What has this matter got to do with the Scottish Govt or the Police?A private company, The Rangers has decided not to give access to two members of the media.A matter for BT and SPFL.It will be interesting to see if BT take action or just let it go.
Don't agree at all. The police have stopped games in the past due to safety concerns no? If Sevco can't look after the press this week then they just admitted their security is not where it should be and that will be true for any week. Hope the b******s get hammered.....

[CMurdoch]

Don't agree at all. The police have stopped games in the past due to safety concerns no? If Sevco can't look after the press this week then they just admitted their security is not where it should be and that will be true for any week. Hope the b******s get hammered.....Are you suggesting the Police should have stopped the Rangers v Lyon game going ahead?On what grounds?

[hibbydog]

Vile bigoted bitter cheating rats who David Gray scored a last minute winner against in a cup final.

They think that everyone hates them.

And they’re right.

[Smartie]

Are you suggesting the Police should have stopped the Rangers v Lyon game going ahead?On what grounds?

Rangers themselves stated they couldn't guarantee the safety of certain individuals.

If your fans are such an unruly mob and your security measures are so weak that you can't guarantee safety, you shouldn't be holding events.

That's called calling their bluff, and there needs to be a bit more of it.

If they're going to be as abrasive and unco-operative as they are with media people then they're going to have to withhold certain benefits that come from stuff like having their games reported on and broadcast.

[HoboHarry]

Rangers themselves stated they couldn't guarantee the safety of certain individuals.

If your fans are such an unruly mob and your security measures are so weak that you can't guarantee safety, you shouldn't be holding events.

That's called calling their bluff, and there needs to be a bit more of it.

If they're going to be as abrasive and unco-operative as they are with media people then they're going to have to withhold certain benefits that come from stuff like having their games reported on and broadcast.
Exactly. Also UEFA plus everyone else are perfectly within their rights now to ask for detailed security arrangements for their upcoming games. If that appalling mob were to turn on pundits like Lennon and Sutton with their Celtic backgrounds then it could get ugly.

[davy67 +]

If they can't guarantee the safety of members of the media inside their stadium then all forms of the media should boycott their stadium until they can , total blackout no coverage at all from TV , Radio and Print , maybe then they'd do something to clean their act up .

[CMurdoch]

Rangers themselves stated they couldn't guarantee the safety of certain individuals.If your fans are such an unruly mob and your security measures are so weak that you can't guarantee safety, you shouldn't be holding events.That's called calling their bluff, and there needs to be a bit more of it.If they're going to be as abrasive and unco-operative as they are with media people then they're going to have to withhold certain benefits that come from stuff like having their games reported on and broadcast.Rangers have stated that they have complied with their obligations to UEFA and BT.The ball is in firmly in BT's court.I agree it was an appallingly worded statement from I presume Rangers PR guy which has rightly put them on the back foot all day.Reading between the lines they are on last warnings from UEFA re ground closure and couldn't afford to mess up. Pulled in supporters club guys in the days leading up to the game to plead for no inappropriate songs and probably saw Lennon and Sutton on an open gantry whilst supporters entered the ground as too big a risk so canned them. A big call. Obviously more scared of UEFA than BT.As for the print media, the tabloids are all but dead and big clubs no longer need them to get messages out with the advent of club TV, social media, pod casts etc so they no longer pander to them and cut them dead if they speak badly of them.

[CMurdoch]

If they can't guarantee the safety of members of the media inside their stadium then all forms of the media should boycott their stadium until they can , total blackout no coverage at all from TV , Radio and Print , maybe then they'd do something to clean their act up .The BBC already boycott IbroxRangers won't care if the tabloids boycott them because they no longer need them.As I have said the ball is now firmly in BT's court.Next move is theirs if they choose to make one.

[Smartie]

Rangers have stated that they have complied with their obligations to UEFA and BT.The ball is in firmly in BT's court.I agree it was an appallingly worded statement from I presume Rangers PR guy which has rightly put them on the back foot all day.Reading between the lines they are on last warnings from UEFA re ground closure and couldn't afford to mess up. Pulled in supporters club guys in the days leading up to the game to plead for no inappropriate songs and probably saw Lennon and Sutton on an open gantry whilst supporters entered the ground as too big a risk so canned them. A big call. Obviously more scared of UEFA than BT.As for the print media, the tabloids are all but dead and big clubs no longer need them to get messages out with the advent of club TV, social media, pod casts etc so they no longer pander to them and cut them dead if they speak badly of them.

See, I don't buy the "couldn't guarantee safety" angle one bit.

They're at it.

They're thin-skinned Donald Trumpy weirdos who cannot accept any sort of criticism whatsoever and they're banning or ejecting anyone who doesn't toe their line. Their empowered by having had success last season and are attempting to flex their muscle everywhere they possibly can. They're also run by morons who constantly pander to the lowest common denominator within their support.

The "couldn't guarantee safety" drivel they came away with was incredibly stupid and it could carry serious consequences for them. They might get away with their pish in Scotland (and as long as they are constantly appeased then why shouldn't they) but they're playing with fire here. They finances aren't good enough to withstand TV money being withheld or having to play European games in front of an empty stadium.

Just because they say they have complied with what was expected doesn't mean they have.

The way they behave, they've got something coming to them from somewhere.

[HoboHarry]

See, I don't buy the "couldn't guarantee safety" angle one bit.

They're at it.

They're thin-skinned Donald Trumpy weirdos who cannot accept any sort of criticism whatsoever and they're banning or ejecting anyone who doesn't toe their line. Their empowered by having had success last season and are attempting to flex their muscle everywhere they possibly can. They're also run by morons who constantly pander to the lowest common denominator within their support.

The "couldn't guarantee safety" drivel they came away with was incredibly stupid and it could carry serious consequences for them. They might get away with their pish in Scotland (and as long as they are constantly appeased then why shouldn't they) but they're playing with fire here. They finances aren't good enough to withstand TV money being withheld or having to play European games in front of an empty stadium.

Just because they say they have complied with what was expected doesn't mean they have.

The way they behave, they've got something coming to them from somewhere.
They had better hope that no-one does get seriously hurt, both them and the SFA would be up s**t creek with no paddle given that they've self identified a significant safety problem.

[HoboHarry]

I'd love to see how the English FA would react to something like this in their league lol. Then again they have more balls than their Scottish counterparts......

[CMurdoch]

See, I don't buy the "couldn't guarantee safety" angle one bit.They're at it.They're thin-skinned Donald Trumpy weirdos who cannot accept any sort of criticism whatsoever and they're banning or ejecting anyone who doesn't toe their line. Their empowered by having had success last season and are attempting to flex their muscle everywhere they possibly can. They're also run by morons who constantly pander to the lowest common denominator within their support.The "couldn't guarantee safety" drivel they came away with was incredibly stupid and it could carry serious consequences for them. They might get away with their pish in Scotland (and as long as they are constantly appeased then why shouldn't they) but they're playing with fire here. They finances aren't good enough to withstand TV money being withheld or having to play European games in front of an empty stadium.Just because they say they have complied with what was expected doesn't mean they have.The way they behave, they've got something coming to them from somewhere.

I still say it's about cutting off at the pass the risk of being forced to play in an empty stadium by UEFA.
As I said the ball is firmly in BT's court now.
What will they do?
The same situation will arise in 2 Euro match days time ie Celtic away and Rangers at home with BT wanting to present both matches with pundits from Ibrox.They either insist on doing that or agree to present the Celtic game from elsewhere.

[HoboHarry]

I still say it's about cutting off at the pass the risk of being forced to play in an empty stadium by UEFA.
As I said the ball is firmly in BT's court now.
What will they do?
The same situation will arise in 2 Euro match days time ie Celtic away and Rangers at home with BT wanting to present both matches with pundits from Ibrox.They either insist on doing that or agree to present the Celtic game from elsewhere.
I'm in agreement with you about that but the issue is that they've chosen the stupidest possible method of deflection imaginable. Whichever of their management thought this up is nothing short of a moron.

[CMurdoch]

I'm in agreement with you about that but the issue is that they've chosen the stupidest possible method of deflection imaginable. Whichever of their management thought this up is nothing short of a moron.

The problem is it doesn't work as deflection. It basically admits that some of their supporters are complete morons who would have definitely either thrown things at the Celtic minded pair on the open gantry or verbally abused them using sectarian language so they can't come to Ibrox because such behaviour would see their ground closed by UEFA for their next European game.

[Eyrie]

I'd love to see how the English FA would react to something like this in their league lol. Then again they have more balls than their Scottish counterparts......

And they don't have any clubs as odious as Sevco and its supporters, so the EFA will never be in that position.

[hibsbollah]

Rangers would normally not give a toss about safe passage to Lennon or Sutton. It’s because the competition is administered by EUFA and they’ll have an observer there. The predictable racist and sectarian abuse directed at Lennon especially, which would normally go unreported during an SPFL game, would be noted by the delegate. UEFA have Rangers number on this behaviour so they don’t want to risk any sanctions.

Charming club.

I’m not sure that’s the reason. I heard minimum 5 sectarian songs during the Lyon game so it’s not as if the delegate doesn’t have sufficient evidence with or without Lennon or Sutton being there. I don’t think anyone has ‘Rangers number’ on this at all.

[Fuzzywuzzy]

Ian Maxwell asked on radio Scotland about this and absolutely shat it.