Rangers express 'regret' over Dens Park pyro and warn of disciplinary threat

Rangers have warned their fans of the dangers of using pyrotechnics, saying that they are at risk of arrest and would also leave the club open to disciplinary action from the SPFL.

The club also expressed its regret over the disruption caused at their recent game at Dens Park.

The warning comes after last month’s Premiership match against Dundee, when flares let off in the Rangers end forced the game to be halted for 18 minutes.

Fans of several clubs, including Celtic,Motherwell and Aberdeen, have also used pyrotechnic displays in the stands this season, prompting the authorities to meet and discuss the problem.

SPFL chiefs met with Scottish Government officials and Police Scotland in a summit to discuss the problem and said afterwards that pyrotechnics were not only dangerous but also illegal, and that the behaviour of some individuals was “having a disruptive and detrimental impact on the safety of the vast majority of supporters and potentially the players and officials on the field”.

Rangers have now issued a message to their supporters urging them not to bring flares to games, and revealing that after an SPFL investigation into the incident at Dens Park, a repeat could see the club facing sanctions from the league.

The club statement read: “As everyone at Rangers FC prepares for a massive month of fixtures, the club reminds supporters the use of pyrotechnics is not only dangerous, but also illegal within sports stadia.

“Supporters who bring pyrotechnic devices to football matches are at risk of arrest and put the club at risk of football sanctions.

“Rangers regrets the display of pyrotechnics at Dens Park last month, which resulted in a fire alarm triggering, and our match with Dundee FC being temporarily suspended.

“This led to an investigation by the SPFL and has put Rangers in a position where a repeat has the potential for the club to be subject to disciplinary action.

“Rangers will continue to engage positively with the SPFL, Scottish FA, Police Scotland and the Scottish Government on this matter.

“The club thanks all our supporters for their fantastic, ongoing support during this busy spell of matches.”