Rangers are bracing themselves for a bombshell UEFA punishment that could see them being forced to shut a stand for next week’s return showdown with Legia Warsaw.
Record Sport Online understands the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body met in Nyon on Thursday to discuss alleged discriminatory chanting during the Light Blues’ Europa League clash with St Joseph’s in Glasgow last month.
And it is believed the club was this morning informed to prepare themselves for serious sanctions with the most stringent being an order to close part of the stadium for the showdown with the Poles on Thursday night.
That would cause Rangers a massive problem as the match is already close to a sell-out and would cost them almost £200,000 in lost ticket sales.
It is understood the Rangers board have been left raging by the conduct of their fans and are set to announce a major crackdown on the issue of sectarian singing.
The club launched a new anti-discrimination initiative ‘Everyone, Anyone’ just four days after the fixture against Gibraltarian minnows St Joseph’s.
But by then it’s understood that the Norwegian UEFA delegate in charge of the fixture had already reported the chants from the home crowd.
Rangers have previously been punished by UEFA for sectarian singing, most notably against Villarreal in 2006 and Spanish rivals Osasuna a year later.
And in 2011 the Ibrox club were hit with a £72,000 fine from European football’s governing body for chants during both legs of their UEFA Cup clash with Dutch side PSV Eindhoven.
Then boss Walter Smith appealed to supporters following that punishment to stop singing offensive songs and warned of the club suffering “drastic consequences” if they didn’t put an end to it.
Prior to Rangers’ first game back in Europe two years ago, chairman Dave King addressed the crowd, urging them to "protect Rangers by maintaining the highest possible standards of behaviour".
And that could be the case next week in what is a huge game for Steven Gerrard’s side as they look to reach the group stage.
Gerrard said after the scoreless draw in Warsaw that he was desperate for the backing of the fans for the return game as he sees them as having a crucial role to play.
But this afternoon Rangers are waiting to hear if that game will go ahead in front of a reduced crowd.
