Glasgow Rangers have released an exceptionally strong statement following a charge by the Scottish Football Association following the pitch invasion that marred the end of last season's Scottish Cup final against Hibernians.
The charge has come from the SFA's Compliance Officer, following the publication of an independent report into the invasion. The report concluded that encroachment on the playing area should be made a criminal offence.
Rangers have issued the following statement condemning the charge, claiming that the SFA have got their priorities wrong in punishing Rangers rather than the Hibernian fans who allegedly assaulted some of the Rangers players. Here's the statement in full:
RANGERS’ Directors are shocked at the charges issued by the Scottish FA’s Compliance Officer in the wake of the pitch invasion at the end of the Scottish Cup final last May.
It is alarming that the governance of Scottish football is so lacking that it is impossible for the Scottish FA to guarantee the safety of footballers at the country’s showpiece event. The SFA is either unwilling or is powerless when it comes to taking the appropriate punitive action against the offenders.
A number of Rangers players were assaulted by Hibernian supporters in broad daylight on the Hampden surface and a repeat of this must be avoided at all costs. That should have been the priority of the SFA. Yet, the governing body insists it is not within its remit to issue any charges let alone punishments for such violent and dangerous misconduct. Instead of player and supporter safety they have placed all their emphasis and importance on the monetary value of a set of goalposts, pieces of turf, and advertising boards.
Rangers Directors will take time to consider an appropriate and more comprehensive response to redress our grievances but for the moment the board fully endorses the incredulity and anger of all Rangers supporters.
It is not the first time Rangers have released a statement relating to the issue. In May, they released a statement condemning the SFA's failure to admonish Hibernian fans, before making several strange allegations against named journalists for what they perceived to be unfair reporting. Here is that passage:
Certain media outlets have also attempted to distort reality. In the case of the BBC this is, of course, not news. BBC employees, in particular Stuart Cosgrove, believe Rod Petrie’s comments to be ‘balanced’ and others speak of a ‘minority’ of Hibernian supporters. Another, Tom English, who was not even at the match, would prefer the authorities to focus on Rangers fans’ reaction. We will not endure this insult.
See Also: Watch: Sky Sports News' Transfer Deadline Day Coverage Hits Absurd New Low
