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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Liam Bryce

Rangers ban fans over Kyogo Furuhashi racist abuse as club take swift action on vile taunts aimed at Celtic star

Rangers have issued indefinite bans to supporters involved in racially abusing Celtic star Kyogo Furuhashi.

A video circulating on social media over the weekend showed individuals on board an Ibrox supporters' bus singing vile songs and aiming offensive gestures at Japanese forward Furuhashi.

Rangers condemned the fans involved on Sunday and opened an investigation, which they has now concluded.

And a statement from Ibrox confirmed those responsible won't be allowed back to games – and their supporters' club won't be given tickets for future fixtures either.

A Rangers spokesperson said: "Rangers can confirm that an investigation is now complete in regard to a video circulating on social media yesterday.

"The individuals involved have been identified and will be banned indefinitely from all Rangers games.

"Furthermore, the RSC of which they were members and travelled with to the game, have been banned from receiving tickets for future fixtures."

Police Scotland say they are aware of the video and are making enquiries.

A statement issued on Monday said: "Police Scotland is aware of a video circulating on social media and officers are liaising with the club to make relevant enquiries."

Celtic issued a statement of their own on Sunday after the footage began circulating widely online.

The Parkhead club described the scenes as "sickening and pathetic" as they promised to provide full support to Furuhashi, who only arrived in Scotland in July following a transfer from Vissel Kobe.

The Celtic statement said: “If reports are accurate then such sickening and pathetic racist behaviour directed towards Kyogo Furuhashi deserves absolute condemnation.

“Unfortunately, a number of Celtic players in recent years have suffered similar racist abuse. As a club open to all, we stand firmly against racism in all its forms and we will give Kyogo our full support.

“All stakeholders must work together in tackling all forms of bigotry.”

Furuhashi issued a simple yet powerful social media message in response to the support he'd received, echoing Celtic's 'You'll Never Walk Alone' mantra.

He wrote on Twitter: "I'll never walk alone #NoToRacism"

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