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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Rory Cassidy

Rangers raise 'major concerns' over treatment of fans at Europa League Final

Rangers bosses have praised the tens of thousands of fans who made the trip to Spain for the Europa League Final - but raised major concerns about the treatment of supporters in the stadium.

Around 100,000 are thought to have made their way to Seville to see their beloved club facing off against Eintracht Frankfurt.

Fans traveled thousands of miles to get to the Andalusian city for the showpiece tie, making their way by planes, trains and automobiles.

But the Light Blues faithful experienced issues whilst entering and inside the stadium, having items confiscated and being unable to buy bottles of water as the temperature from the searing Seville sunshine hit 40 degrees.

Supporters were also attacked by German football hooligans while enjoying drinks in a bar the day before the match.

Rangers fans at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan for the Europa League Final. (Getty Images)

Balaclava-clad thugs went on the rampage, throwing flares and attacking fans, with Spanish police saying 200 German fans had brawled with Gers supporters.

And the club has now urged fans to come forward and share their negative experiences so lessons can be learned for the future.

In a statement today, the club said: "Rangers are immensely proud of our supporters for the spirit and character they have shown, following our club in record numbers.

"Our fans went to Seville and wowed locals with colour, noise and positivity and showed the true character of Rangers.

"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 have no direct grievance procedures for supporters.

"We would recommend that supporters contacts FSE via their away supporter’s survey which can be accessed here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/BFM7TWD.

"FSE are an independent, non-profit association of fans recognised as a representative body on fan issues by UEFA and are submitting a full report on the experiences of supporters in Seville.

"Additionally, any supporters who have not yet shared their experience with the club and wish to do so, please email slo@rangers.co.uk by Thursday 26th May, of which a summary will be shared with UEFA.

"Thank you for your continued support."

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