Rangers have pleaded with their own fans to behave themselves after being fined over £40,000 and threatened with a partial stadium closure by UEFA. The governing body said they will close the Copland Stand for a European game if there are any breaches in the next two years.

The punishment has been handed down in relation to 'racist and/or discriminatory behaviour’ related to the home match against Fenerbahce in the on March 13. During the match, which read “Keep woke foreign ideologies out. Defend Europe.”

UEFA fined the Scottish giants €48,500 (£40,441) for improper conduct, throwing of objects, blocking public passageways and racist and/or discriminatory behaviour. won the match via a dramatic penalty shoot-out, but their remarkable victory was marred by events surrounding the game.

The club has come out firing against their own fans and issued a punchy statement after the UEFA announcement. “This punishment must serve as a severe and significant reminder to the small minority of supporters who bring the name of Rangers into disrepute,” it read.

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“Any repeat of any discriminatory behaviour (and this also includes the singing of illicit songs) may result in the famed ‘Rangers end’ of our home being closed for a UEFA match.

“Not only will the reputation and finances of the club be harmed by such a punishment, but the chances of the team in a potentially key European match will also suffer enormously, while thousands of innocent fans will be unable to attend a massive fixture.

“In response to the displaying of the racist and/or discriminatory banner at the Fenerbahce game, the club can confirm that it is in the process of issuing lifetime bans to the individuals responsible.

“Further, following the use of pyrotechnics at Parkhead in the Old Firm game, the club can confirm the groups responsible for their discharge will be directly impacted by the 500 ticket reduction issued as a sanction the next time the club appears in the latter stages of the Premier Sports Cup at Hampden.

“The club again stresses a future use of pyrotechnics at any SPFL match may lead to a further reduction of 800 tickets at a latter-stage Premier Sports Cup match.

“The strongest asset this football club has is our support, and the club knows the overwhelming majority of our supporters will be angered by these episodes and the consequences they have for the club and its supporters. We reiterate our call for all supporters to back the team in the correct manner, and to challenge those who seek to further damage the good name of Rangers.”

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