UEFA have written to Rangers lawyers following the request for clarification on their Appeals body's judgement on supporters' behaviour at the Villarreal matches last season.
In their correspondence, UEFA make it clear that a firm stand against any form of sectarianism is not limited to European fixtures – i.e. that the ruling on sectarian singing applies to Rangers' fixtures, domestic or European home and away. In its original judgement UEFA stated that all forms of sectarian singing – including any version of the Billy Boys – are prohibited and that is their final ruling. There is no further appeals process.
These remarks are clearly linked to yesterday's announcement by UEFA that their disciplinary sanctions applied to all clubs and all nations under their jurisdiction.
Certain clubs who have been trying to worm their way out of their duties by claiming that they had no responsibility for their away fans have been warned that this is no defence. Perhaps advance warning of the decision prompted Sir Brian Quinn's leaked letter to Celtic fans earlier this week? The express inclusion of the phrase “extremist ideological propaganda” runs a coach and horses through the “our songs are political” defence.
Certainly, it appears as if UEFA has been forced to concede that it cannot possibly single out one club without applying exactly the same principles and sanctions to everyone.
UEFA new disciplinary sanctions for individuals and clubs and member associations reads as follows:-
Any national association or club whose supporters engage in behaviour which insults the human dignity of a person or group of persons, by whatever means, including grounds of colour, race, religion or ethnic origin will incur a minimum £13,000 penalty. In particular circumstances, the disciplinary body may impose additional sanctions on the member association or club responsible, such as the playing of one or more games behind closed doors, a stadium closure, awarding of a match by default, deduction of points or disqualification from the competition. Any form of extremist ideological propaganda is banned before, during, and after games.
These sanctions can be viewed on:
http://www.uefa.com/uefa/Keytopics/kind=512/newsId=440707.html
The club is expect to make a response to the UEFA letter tomorrow and to give fuller details.