Rangers: We Have 'Serious Concerns' About Organisation

[ian1964 10,370]

Rangers chief executive Martin Bain has again expressed concerns about the Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) organisation, accusing the group of being influenced by those intent on damaging the club.

 

Bain spoke out after the Scottish champions were fined a total of 80,000 euros (�£71,200) and their fans were banned from the club's next away match in Europe.

 

The UEFA charges related to discriminatory behaviour by Rangers supporters during both legs of the Europa League tie against PSV Eindhoven last month.

 

Rangers were fined an equal amount for both offences and handed a suspended ban on fans attending a second away game, plus the knowledge they will play a home match behind closed doors if fans repeat the offence within three years.

 

Bain said in a statement: "In terms of the UEFA case brought against us, we have had serious concerns about the integrity of the evidence compiled by the FARE organisation and that remains the case.

 

"We are also of the opinion that FARE has been influenced by people who make it their business to damage our club in any way they can.

 

"We are committed to the eradication of sectarianism and believe it would have been more constructive for FARE to work with our club rather than against it.

 

"Instead, they submitted evidence to UEFA with a clear objective in mind and have shown a complete lack of transparency or accountability when asked for clarification on various aspects of that evidence."

 

However, FARE denied any bias against Rangers and accused Bain of stoking a feeling of victimisation among the club's supporters.

 

In a statement released to Press Association Sport, Howard Holmes, chair of the FARE board, said: "We note the comments made by Martin Bain, Rangers CEO, after the hearing in Nyon today.

 

"It is disappointing to see a major European club continue to question the motivation of a body such as FARE in submitting legitimate observer reports at two European games.

 

"The FARE network has a long track record in the area of tackling discrimination and developing initiatives to encourage social inclusion.

 

"Our expertise is widely acknowledged by European institutions in the football, governmental and social sectors. We are proud to have been a social responsibility partner of UEFA since August 2001.

 

"We once again categorically refute any suggestion of bias against, or hidden agenda to damage, Rangers FC.

 

"Mr Bain's comments will inevitably continue to feed a sense of a miscarriage of justice and external blame amongst Rangers fans, rather than accepting the extent and nature of the problem that exists.

 

"Sectarianism is a very serious issue that has tarnished the name of Scottish football.

 

"We look forward to renewed and serious action to tackle the problem across the game in the coming seasons."

 

Bain also reiterated Rangers' commitment to tackling the problem of sectarianism among the club`s support.

 

He added: "To be clear, we condemn sectarianism and there is no doubt the mindless behaviour of an element of our support has exposed the club to a very serious situation.

 

"The people who engage in this type of behaviour are damaging the club they claim to support.

 

"It is abundantly clear from this decision that if there is any sectarian singing at future matches the suspended bans will take effect. Those fans who engage in such activity need to take that message on board.

 

"The majority of our fans understand the situation and would much rather focus on football. They show that clearly at Ibrox and the tremendous atmosphere they created at last weekend's Old Firm match was a case in point."

 

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[Bluedell 5,329]

In a statement released to Press Association Sport, Howard Holmes, chair of the FARE board, said: "We note the comments made by Martin Bain, Rangers CEO, after the hearing in Nyon today.

 

"It is disappointing to see a major European club continue to question the motivation of a body such as FARE in submitting legitimate observer reports at two European games.

 

"The FARE network has a long track record in the area of tackling discrimination and developing initiatives to encourage social inclusion.

 

"Our expertise is widely acknowledged by European institutions in the football, governmental and social sectors. We are proud to have been a social responsibility partner of UEFA since August 2001.

 

"We once again categorically refute any suggestion of bias against, or hidden agenda to damage, Rangers FC.

 

"Mr Bain's comments will inevitably continue to feed a sense of a miscarriage of justice and external blame amongst Rangers fans, rather than accepting the extent and nature of the problem that exists.

 

"Sectarianism is a very serious issue that has tarnished the name of Scottish football.

 

FARE's credibility has been badly damaged over this whole affair and it's disappointing that Howard Holmes cannot see the big picture and realise that his organisation has been hijacked with those with an agenda.

 

I don't have a problem with them reporting us if we ave done something wrong, but we also expect some level of parity.

 

This alleged anti-racism charity has ignored claims of racism in respect of other clubs and have refused to even respond to a fans' organisation when they have reported incidents of racism against a player.

 

They have not treated Rangers in the same way as other clubs as has been shown by their repeated inactions against the consistent and continued sectarianism uttered by the Celtic fans and their support of a sectarian terrorist group.

 

FARE's Executive Director is being paid by a company that is partly owned by the son of Celtic's biggest shareholder and his agenda has been proven in that he would even use charity events to have a go at the Rangers support.

 

FARE's credibility is at an all-time low and the only way for them to recover is to replace their compromised Executive Director and to accept that they need to treat all claims of racism and sectarianism on an equal manner and stop just being the playthings of warped people who have an agenda against one specific club.