Rangers fans are being told not to go Seville without tickets for the final; Stewart Roberston is telling the travelling support to respect the Spanish city; the Europa League final will not be beamed back to Ibrox; Rangers play Eintracht Frankfurt on May 18
Tuesday 17 May 2022 15:53, UK
Rangers managing director Stewart Robertson has told the thousands of fans travelling to Seville to "respect the city" as he revealed it will not be possible to beam the Europa League final back to Ibrox.
Tens of thousands of fans are set to make their way to Spain for the club's first European final in 14 years since the UEFA Cup defeat to Zenit St Petersburg in Manchester in 2008, which saw trouble in the city.
"To supporters with or without tickets, [the message] is go and enjoy yourself, go and enjoy the occasion. I remember in 2008 thinking 'will I see Rangers in a European final again?' and here we are," Robertson said.
"It is fantastic. Go and enjoy the occasion, go and be a good ambassador for Rangers.
"We are going to a beautiful city, in Seville, go and enjoy the city but let's go and do it in the right way, the right manner. Go and enjoy it, have a good time.
"Regardless of numbers go and do it, respect the city, respect the locals, there will be people going about their day-to-day business."
Rangers have also confirmed that there will be a fan zone for those without tickets at the Estadio La Cartuja to watch the game.
A statement said: "After dialogue with UEFA, Spanish Police and the local authorities, we can confirm the organisation of a fan viewing area in the Estadio La Cartuja, for those supporters without tickets. Further details will be released by the Stadium Manager in the coming days.
"There will also be a fan meeting point in Alameda de Hércules for those supporters with a ticket for the final. There will be no public viewing of the game in the fan zone area. More information will be provided in the coming days."
Rangers also confirmed there will not be hosting a screen at Ibrox due to safety concerns.
A statement said: "Whilst we understand the wish for supporters to be able to gather at our home for this momentous occasion, the club does not have sufficient staffing resources to be able to host such a large event due to the number of qualified staff and personnel required to travel to Spain to assist in the safe delivery of the final. We could not safely operate an event of this size without the presence of our safety team, all of whom are required in Spain.
"Given the significant UEFA regulatory demands, we are required to deploy our full safety team in Seville, given the anticipated travelling support. This was not an easy decision but it is vital we ensure the safety of the team, management and travelling support in Spain.
"We acknowledge and understand the disappointment and frustration of non-travelling supporters, but there was no safe way of delivering a matchday screening."
UEFA has urged fans without tickets not to travel to Seville for security reasons, with Rangers and Eintracht Frankfurt receiving just 10,000 tickets for the final at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium.
"Whilst UEFA understands that there will be fans who have been unsuccessful in their application for tickets, fans are strongly advised not to travel to the finals without tickets or purchase tickets on the secondary market.
"In order to maintain the safety and security of fans, ticket holders should be aware that checks will be carried out at the finals and the local authorities in the cities will take action against the unauthorised resale of tickets.
"Any tickets which are offered for sale by third parties on the internet (including on social media, marketplaces and secondary ticketing platforms) are advertised in breach of the ticket terms and conditions.
"UEFA actively enforces its ticketing terms and conditions, including by monitoring the internet, and will take action (including cancelling tickets) where unauthorised advertisements are identified.
"Fans should also be aware that third parties offering for sale tickets on the internet are often not in possession of the tickets which they claim to have for sale, despite demanding exorbitant prices for such tickets.
"In addition, UEFA is conscious that the demand for tickets to the finals may result in counterfeit tickets entering the secondary market, as has occurred at previous finals. Fans are advised that any such counterfeit tickets will not gain entry to the stadiums."
