Rangers in talks with UEFA amid 'major concerns' over treatment of fans at Europa League final in Seville

Rangers are in talks with UEFA over the treatment of their fans at the Europa League final in Seville.

The Ibrox club say they have “major concerns” over a number of incidents including the lack of appropriate facilities and bottled water at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium.

Rangers lost the game on penalties after a 1-1 draw with Eintracht Frankfurt in the Spanish city on Wednesday last week.

Tens of thousands of supporters made the journey in the hope of seeing their heroes win their first European trophy in 50 years.

But, despite praise for the “spirit and character” shown by travelling fans, the club feel they were let down by tournament organisers after supporters were left “severely distressed” by a lack of drinking water in the baking 30C Spanish heat.

Many of the around 20,000 Rangers fans who attended the game reportedly resorted to drinking water from taps in the toilets as the temperatures soared inside the stadium.

Rangers are now in talks with both the game’s governing body and Football Supporters Europe (FSE) and have asked fans who encountered any issues to contact them by Thursday.

A statement released on Tuesday said: “Rangers are immensely proud of our supporters for the spirit and character they have shown, following our club in record numbers.

“Our fans went to Seville and wowed locals with colour, noise and positivity and showed the true character of Rangers.

“Although the result did not go our way, we will remember the build up to the match with great fondness.

“However, we have major concerns around the treatment of our supporters at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium, including the confiscation of previously approved and agreed items that were confiscated by the police and a lack of appropriate facilities within the stadium including the lack of bottled water or indeed water in the toilets which understandably caused severe distress to many supporters in the stadium.

“Rangers are in dialogue with both UEFA and Football Supporters Europe (FSE) regarding the issues encountered by our supporters.

“Supporters wishing to make a complaint to UEFA should be aware that UEFA have no direct grievance procedures for supporters.

“We would recommend that supporters contacts FSE via their away supporter’s survey which can be accessed here.

“FSE are an independent, non-profit association of fans recognised as a representative body on fan issues by UEFA and are submitting a full report on the experiences of supporters in Seville.

“Additionally, any supporters who have not yet shared their experience with the club and wish to do so, please email slo@rangers.co.uk by Thursday 26th May, of which a summary will be shared with UEFA.”

UEFA issued an apology to supporters affected by last week’s issues on Friday and said food and drink kiosks could not meet the “extraordinary demand” from fans in attendance.

A statement said: “Even though the quantity of food and beverages planned by concessionaires was much bigger than what is usually served during a domestic sold-out match at the Sanchez Pizjuan stadium, it still was not enough to meet the extraordinary demand of the day and UEFA wishes to sincerely apologise to fans for the inconvenience created.”