Rangers takeover ‘fear’ after UEFA charge as hard-hitting Patrick Stewart statement ‘linked’ to 49ers buyout
The Premiership club have come out swinging at their own fans after a UEFA charge over a “racist and/or discriminatory banner”
Rangers have been warned that the actions of the Union Bears could put the monumental takeover of the club in jeopardy.
Rangers released a furious statement earlier this week directed at the fan group after the club were charged by UEFA.
The display, unveiled in the second half of the clash with Fenerbahce, read: “Keep woke foreign ideologies out. Defend Europe.”
The club revealed they have been charged by European football’s governing body over the fan display – who described the banner as a “racist and/or discriminatory banner” following the Europa League last-16 second leg against Jose Mourinho’s side last week.
The club stated that those who did not believe everyone is welcome at Ibrox should stay away from the ground.
American tycoon Andrew Cavenagh – the man leading the takeover alongside the San Francisco 49ers – was in attendance for the second leg against Fenerbahce at Ibrox and concerns have been raised that a deal could be impacted by the Ibrox ultras.
Speaking on PLZ Soccer, pundit Gordon Parks said: “Do you think there is a fear there that if you are investing in Rangers and you do your investigating, and you see the baggage that currently exists, could that deter the investment?”
Pundit Alison McConnell responded: “I think there is no doubt about that.”
Parks went on: “Would you want to associate yourself with certain fringes within the club that exist, which is the reality?”
Host Peter Martin chimed in: “If you are smart about it, it’s a clear business sense where they will draw a line and say ‘Ok, we understand there is an underhand element here who breach the code of conduct, but this is a business’.
“Business people tend to look at it in the cold light of day and say ‘what is our objective? Why are we doing it? How much is it costing and what will we get out of it in the end? And if we have to deal with these people further down the line, we will deal with it’.”
Veteran pundit Hugh MacDonald added: “They will deal with it because it’s a brand. The 49ers people are dealing with big people in the outside world.
“That is a hugely strong statement – and I may be being unfair to Patrick Stewart (Rangers CEO), but I think it has been prompted, not just by the perceived danger to a takeover – because I don’t think it will have a major effect.
“But, it’s obviously linked to the fact the people in America don’t want anything to do with that kind of stuff.”
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