SNS GroupRangers supporters who racially abused Celtic’s Japanese forward Kyogo Furuhashi have been “banned indefinitely” by the Ibrox club.
Rangers conducted an investigation after video footage emerged at the weekend showing fans on a supporters bus allegedly chanting a racist song.
The club say they have now identified the individuals involved and banned them indefinitely from all matches.
In a statement, the club said: “Rangers can confirm that an investigation is now complete in regard to a video circulating on social media yesterday.
“The individuals involved have been identified and will be banned indefinitely from all Rangers games.
“Furthermore, the RSC (Rangers Supporters Club) of which they were members and travelled with to the game, have been banned from receiving tickets for future fixtures.”
Police Scotland is investigating the video and “officers are liasing with the Ibrox club to make relevant enquiries”.
Furuhashi, 26, joined Celtic from Vissel Kobe this summer and has become an immediate favourite at Parkhead with six goals in seven games.
He tweeted on Monday “I’ll never walk alone #NoToRacism”.
And speaking to Celtic TV, manager Ange Postecoglou said the club’s number one priority is to protect and support the Japanese winger.
He said: “To be honest, it saddens me a lot because I’m the one that’s brought him over here – now I spent three-and-a-half years in Japan and I was a foreigner, you know, and I was welcomed with open arms over there.
“I know how sort of polite and respectful the Japanese people were and I’m the one that brought Kyogo over here.
“You know, I’m sure his experience is totally the extreme opposite of what’s been portrayed in the last 48 hours.
“Talking to him, he’s loved being here, he loves the city, he loves the way everyone’s embraced him and it saddens me that such a small element, who as you said it’s not about education, people are more than well aware of what’s right and wrong, just be a decent human being and treat people with respect.
“And even for myself, I walk around, I’ve been lucky enough to walk around Glasgow with my family and you see all the different nationalities of different establishments, whether that’s restaurants, businesses, and it’s obvious people come from all over the world here to make this city a great city and I love that.
“That’s my background, I’m an immigrant and to hear, even if it is a minority, it shouldn’t be there.”
Celtic said in a statement on Sunday evening: “If reports are accurate then such sickening and pathetic racist behaviour directed towards Kyogo Furuhashi deserves absolute condemnation.
“Unfortunately, a number of Celtic players in recent years have suffered similar racist abuse.
“As a club open to all, we stand firmly against racism in all its forms and we will give Kyogo our full support.
“All stakeholders must work together in tackling all forms of bigotry.”
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