UEFA have hammered Celtic and Rangers for the illicit use of pyrotechnics by supporters in recent European ties.
And both clubs urged fans to stop letting off fireworks for fear of Europe’s governing body landing them with a more severe punishment.
Celtic were fined £16,700 for the ‘lighting of fireworks’ during their recent thumping Champions League defeat to Borussia Dortmund.
And, in a shot across the bows of the Scottish champions, UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary body has warned that the sale of tickets to fans will be banned for an away game in Europe if there is any repeat within the next two years.
In a statement Celtic said: ‘The club has been very clear, over a number of years, that the use of fireworks and pyrotechnics at matches is prohibited, and presents risks to supporter safety and to the club under the applicable regulations.
‘It is hugely disappointing, therefore, that the conduct of a very small minority has led to this decision, which could potentially have such a negative and damaging impact on the team and Celtic supporters wishing to attend an away match to support the team.’
Rangers have been fined £28,000 by UEFA after a firework display against Lyon on October 3
Celtic fans are in hot water with UEFA over their pyro display at the Westfalenstadion
Rangers chairman John Gilligan, meanwhile, has urged Ibrox fans to ditch the pyrotechnics after his club were fined a total of £27,400.
Despite avoiding a partial stadium closure after a firework display during their recent 4-1 defeat to Lyon in the Europa League, a fine of around £11,500 was followed by a penalty of £15,900 for a similar incident in the earlier fixture away to Malmo.
And interim chairman Gilligan fears the punishments will only increase in scale unless the pyrotechnics stop.
‘After a fantastic result in Malmo, we were all disappointed with the Europa League result against Lyon, but I was proud to see the supporters staying with Philippe and the team until the final whistle.
‘The biggest disappointment of that evening was the actions of a small minority of supporters, whose use of pyrotechnics at the match has seen the club fined €13,750 by UEFA. This is in addition to a €19,000 fine for a similar incident in the match with Malmo.
‘My message is the use of pyrotechnics must stop and stop now at all of our matches home and away.
‘Not only could the repercussions become ever-larger for the club, many supporters have difficulty coping with the effects of pyrotechnics, whether that be the smoke or loud bangs they produce. It is desperately unfair for any Rangers supporter to come to a match and be affected in such a manner.’
In a chairman’s update, Gilligan confirmed that director of football operations Creag Robertson will leave Rangers ‘in the coming weeks to pursue new opportunities’, but denied that the club were now facing a leadership vacuum after a number of key departures.
‘We must thank Creag for his contribution in several roles since he joined the club in 2016 and we wish him well in his future endeavours.
‘With Creag moving on, I have seen some reports of the club being without leadership. I can assure you that is not the case with George Letham and myself, who have deep knowledge of business and our great club, working tirelessly alongside our executive management team to continue to drive the club forward.’
Rangers chairman John Gilligan has urged Ibrox supporters not to use pyro
Creag Robertson is set to leave his role as Rangers’ director of football operations
Director of football recruitment Nils Koppen was quoted recently stating that planning for the January window was well underway. Gilligan also reiterated his desire to fill key senior vacancies as soon as possible.
‘Of course, we are determined to fill the Chairman and CEO roles as quickly as possible, and our recruitment consultants have already produced short lists of very strong and experienced candidates for both roles.
‘On the commercial front, Karim Virani and his team have delivered an outstanding new front of shirt sponsorship deal with the Kindred group, while we have been really pleased with the work done in such a short space of time, by Elior on the catering front.
‘The financial uplift in both deals, together with the strong financial oversight and controls actioned by CFO, James Taylor will positively benefit the club going forward.’
