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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Christopher Jack

UEFA update on Rangers discussions as authorities investigate Europa League final issues in Seville

Rangers fans in the stands during the UEFA Europa League Final at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan

UEFA remain locked in talks with Rangers regarding their concerns over the treatment of supporters at the Europa League final.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side came agonisingly close to lifting the silverware last week as Aaron Ramsey's shoot-out miss handed the title to Eintracht Frankfurt.

But the aftermath of the Seville showpiece has been dominated by issues off the park as fans have voice their anger at their experience inside the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium.

And Herald and Times Sport understands those discussions are still ongoing as UEFA collate statements from followers of both Rangers and Frankfurt through Football Supporters Europe.

UEFA apologised to Rangers after supporters saw bottles of water - and items such as sun cream and air pods - removed by police and security forces before entering the ground.

And fans were forced to drink water from the sinks in the toilets after finding many kiosks closed as supplies of drinks quickly ran out.

A UEFA statement read: “Even though the quantity of food and beverages planned by concessionaires was much bigger than what is usually served during a domestic sold out match at the Sanchez Pizjuan stadium, it still was not enough to meet the extraordinary demand of the day and UEFA wishes to sincerely apologise to fans.”

That apology was not enough for many disgruntled punters and Rangers have raised their 'major concerns' over the treatment of those inside the ground as around 100,000 made the trip to Andalucia.

UEFA has no process for supporters to raise issues with them directly but Nyon chiefs remain in close contact with FSE as the supporter organisation gather witness statements from those who endured over-zealous police searches in scorching temperatures.

Local authorities have also been asked for their version of events surrounding the staging of the final and the matchday operations as the governing body seeks to learn lessons from the issues that Rangers and Frankfurt fans had to experience in Seville.

A statement from Rangers on Tuesday read: "Our fans went to Seville and wowed locals with colour, noise and positivity and showed the true character of Rangers. Although the result did not go our way, we will remember the build up to the match with great fondness.

"However, we have major concerns around the treatment of our supporters at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium, including the confiscation of previously approved and agreed items that were confiscated by the police and a lack of appropriate facilities within the stadium including the lack of bottled water or indeed water in the toilets which understandably caused severe distress to many supporters in the stadium.

"Rangers FC are in dialogue with both UEFA and Football Supporters Europe (FSE) regarding the issues encountered by our supporters.

"Supporters wishing to make a complaint to UEFA should be aware that UEFA has no direct grievance procedures for supporters. We would recommend that supporters contact FSE via their away supporter’s survey."

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