Rangers have delivered a scathing critique, expressing their profound disappointment with the SPFL after revealing that their supporters have been refused tickets for the upcoming Old Firm showdown against Celtic at Parkhead.
The latest development follows Celtic’s decision to decline around 700 tickets for the match at Ibrox earlier this season due to safety concerns, prompting discussions about reinstating the traditional away allocation of approximately 7,000 fans at both stadiums.
In a bid to secure an increased number of tickets for their visit to Glasgow’s east end on December 30, Rangers pursued the matter with the SPFL Board Sub-Committee, claiming their appeal was supported by the committee. Currently, Rule I27 prescribes that “the home club must make provision for the admission of such reasonable numbers of visiting supporters.”
Despite their efforts, Rangers have been left without tickets, meaning manager Philippe Clement will experience his first Glasgow derby without the accompaniment of away supporters.
In a strongly-worded statement, the Viaplay Cup winners lambasted their rivals, alleging a failure to furnish ample evidence to substantiate their position against allocating any tickets to Rangers.
The statement read: “Despite prevailing in a case brought before the SPFL Board Sub-Committee, Rangers FC regrets to announce that our supporters will not be present at Parkhead for the Old Firm match on December 30.
“The Sub-Committee upheld Rangers’ view that Celtic FC’s decision to deny tickets to Rangers’ fans was unjustified. However, the Sub-Committee refrained from determining what would constitute a ‘reasonable’ number of tickets for the fixture.
“The failure to reach this decision was due to insufficient evidence presented by the other party despite having ample time to do so leading up to the hearing. This incident calls into question the effectiveness and underscores the procedural deficiencies of SPFL Rule I27.
“For Rangers, it is fundamentally unjust that if a club (in this instance, Celtic) fails to furnish substantial evidence in such proceedings, it effectively restrains the Sub-Committee from establishing a reasonable ticket allocation, particularly when the Sub-Committee agrees that the reasonable number cannot be zero.
“Conversely, if a club (in this instance, Rangers) fully complies and provides all necessary information in good faith, it can still face penalties. The club will assess its stance before engaging in any further SPFL-led hearings.
“In addition, Rangers, along with several other SPFL clubs, eagerly anticipates the long-awaited outcomes of the ongoing SPFL Governance review. Rangers will refrain from making further comments at this point.”
The stage is set for a potential shift in dynamics, as Rangers raise critical questions about procedural fairness and eagerly await the unfolding of the broader SPFL Governance appraisal. The ramifications of this decision are profound, not just for the club, but for the wider footballing community. The drama never ceases in the world of football!
