Rangers Football Club has issued a strong statement of condemnation following the display of an anti-woke banner by some of its fans. The move has resulted in the club facing potential disciplinary action from UEFA. The controversial banner, displayed during the Europa League match against Fenerbahce, read: “Keep woke foreign ideologies out – defend Europe.”
The club announced on Wednesday that it has been charged by UEFA, the governing body of European soccer, for what is being termed as a “racist and/or discriminatory banner.” The club expressed its disappointment in a statement, condemning the actions as shameful, especially in the year 2025. Rangers emphasized that their ethos is one of inclusivity, and urged anyone who doesn’t agree with this ideology to sever ties with the club.
Despite advancing to the quarterfinals of the Europa League after a dramatic penalty shootout victory against Fenerbahce, the incident has dampened the celebratory mood. Rangers, a 55-time Scottish champion, branded the situation as “deeply saddening and frankly embarrassing,” stressing that severe sanctions may be imposed due to the actions of a small group of individuals.
In addition to the banner incident, Rangers have also been cited for the throwing of objects and blocking passageways at Ibrox Stadium during the same match. While UEFA has not yet publicly disclosed the specific charges, Rangers acknowledged in their statement the seriousness of the allegations.
Further complications arose as the club could face more repercussions, this time from Scottish authorities, due to the use of pyrotechnics by a couple of individuals during the recent victory against local rivals Celtic.
The situation underscores an ongoing challenge for the club as it navigates these disciplinary issues, striving to uphold its commitment to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all its supporters.
