Rangers voice Seville concerns

Ibrox club in UEFA fan plea after worries over treatment

RANGERS have expressed their “major concerns” over the treatment of supporters at the Europa League final and urged fans to come forward to raise issues with UEFA.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side were backed by more than 100,000 fans in Seville last week as their dreams of a second European trophy were ended in a shoot-out defeat.

But many supporters have expressed their dismay at the organisation of the event as around 50,000

Eintracht Frankfurt followers also made their way to Andalusia.

Reports of water, suncream and medicine being confiscated by police and security services have been widespread and several kiosks within the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium were closed.

Fans told of how they were forced to drink water from sinks in the toilets in an attempt to avoid dehydration as temperatures edged towards 40 degrees Celsius.

A UEFA spokesman said last week that the governing body wished to “sincerely apologise to fans for the inconvenience created” ahead of and during the showpiece final.

A club statement read: “Rangers are immensely proud of our supporters for the spirit and character they have shown, following our club in record numbers.

“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.”