Rangers consider banning own fans

Rangers could stop their own fans from attending away legs of European ties amid the fall-out from their Uefa Cup clash against…

Rangers could stop their own fans from attending away legs of European ties amid the fall-out from their Uefa Cup clash against Osasuna in Spain.

The idea was mooted at a meeting between club officials and the Rangers Supporters Assembly last night. Some fans expressed concerned at the plan but the two groups will meet again next week for further talks.

Uefa say it is "very likely" their control and disciplinary body will launch an official investigation into the tie, which saw visiting fans clash with police.

The Gers could also face sanctions after Uefa revealed they were "fully aware" of internet footage which appeared to show fans singing sectarian songs after the game.

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The Glasgow club complained about "heavy-handed policing" as Rangers crashed out of Europe with a 1-0 defeat in the away leg of the Uefa Cup last-16 clash a week ago.

A joint statement from the club and assembly read: "Fan safety, segregation, policing, crowd control and sectarian singing were discussed by the group at length.

"The meeting also discussed sectarian behaviour at Osasuna and the club and the assembly agreed to continue to work together to eradicate all forms of sectarian behaviour amongst Rangers fans.

"A number of options were raised including Rangers not taking tickets for away European ties next season but supporters' representatives were concerned about the implications of this measure."

Any investigation into the game by Uefa's highest court  would be heard at the end of the month or the start of April.

Rangers supporters claimed riot police charged into their section for no reason, lashing out with sticks, fists and kicks before, during and after the match in Pamplona.

Rangers received 1,400 tickets for the game but many more visiting fans gained access to the ground.

The footage of alleged sectarian singing emerged less than a year after Uefa fined Rangers about £13,000 for discriminatory chanting in a Champions League tie against Villarreal.