American tycoon Andrew Cavenagh will have to “contemplate” the bills being racked up by unruly fans in the midst of his Rangers takeover.
That is according to Hugh Keevins in the wake of a hardline stance from the club amid disciplinary action by UEFA and the SPFL.The Ibrox side released a hard-hitting statement after a UEFA charge which saw European football’s governing body threaten to close the Copland Road Stand for a future game after the Union Bears unveiled a banner that was deemed ‘racist and/or discriminatory’ during the Europa League clash against Fenerbahce.
lifetime bans and the missive from the club also revealed those groups responsible for the use of pyrotechnics in the recent derby clash with Celtic will be directly impacted by the 500 ticket reduction issued in a different sanction from the SPFL.
Going into the clash with Dundee on Saturday, the punters were also warned to behave after two years ago Rangers fans put on a huge pyro show at Dens Park which resulted in the game being halted after it triggered a smoke alarm in the stadium.
And Keevins reckons Cavenagh – who is leading the takeover charge – and Paraag Marathe’s 49ers Enterprises will be keeping tabs on the rising costs accumulated by the punters.
Writing for Mail Sport, he said: “Every fine Rangers receive, such as the latest one to come from UEFA for fans displaying a “racist and/or discriminatory” banner, goes on to the bill 49ers Enterprises inherit if they go through with their takeover of the club.
“And the debts which Andrew Cavenagh, the man driving the deal from his base in America, has to contemplate paying before signing off on a final settlement could be described as being not inconsiderable already.
“No wonder lifetime bans for incorrigible fans are now being thrown about as Rangers try to tidy up the house for the prospective buyers.
“When the “strongest asset,” as Rangers described their fan base in a statement, becomes a pain in the asset because of the delinquent actions of a reckless minority, something radical has to be done.
