Smith: Ban can be an opportunity

29 April 2011 19:00

Rangers manager Walter Smith hopes the threat of more serious UEFA sanctions will finally rid the club of its problem with sectarianism.

On Thursday the club were hit with fines totalling around £71,000 and banned from taking travelling fans to their next away fixture in Europe. The charges related to discriminatory behaviour by supporters at both legs of last month's Europa League tie against PSV Eindhoven.

" From the club's point of view, it's an ideal situation, if you like, rather than a ban for home games, which financially would cost the club a lot of money," said Smith. "What UEFA have decided to do is to give a warning."

The Scottish champions also face a further away ban and the prospect of playing a match behind closed doors at Ibrox if a repeat of such behaviour takes place within the next three years.

"Everybody knows what will happen if we don't heed the warning - the one-match suspension will take place and then it will go to the home games and there will be a ban there," Smith continued. "If we continue down that road, that is exactly what will happen. The warning is there for everyone. It's something that has to be hammered home to everyone."

Rangers fans were reported to UEFA by anti-racism group FARE and Smith believes more clarification on what they regard to be acceptable and unacceptable behaviour is needed.

He said: "I think that's one of the difficult things that they have, what's acceptable and what's unacceptable. If the group FARE are the people who are going to be the judge of what's acceptable and what's unacceptable, then maybe it would be a good idea if they could say what is and what isn't.

"I think that's one of the things that would help and would clarify it to supporters. But I would just appeal on behalf of the club - if you're not sure, then don't sing it.

"I'm not quite sure about the mechanisms of UEFA or the background of FARE or whatever but they are being brought up as the judges of what is sectarian and what is not, so it would maybe be a good idea if they could clarify."

"Anyone who knows Rangers knows that we have tried exceptionally hard to try and eradicate the sectarian singing aspect of the support. If people continue to do it, what can you do? You have to look for outside agencies, like the police or the SFA, to help you. Hopefully the situation as it stands at the moment will be a warning to anyone who does sing sectarian songs to stop it."

Source: PA