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Rangers escape punishment over fan 'salutes'

Rangers fans deny making Nazi salutes against Hapoel Tel Aviv
Rangers fans deny making Nazi salutes against Hapoel Tel Aviv

Rangers have avoided punishment after satisfying UEFA with their explanation of the one-arm salutes made by supporters in Israel last week.

The club announced that they were to be the subject of a UEFA investigation after a group of supporters made the salutes during the first leg of the UEFA Cup last-32 match against Hapoel Tel Aviv.

Photographs of a group of supporters making the salute were the subject of a complaint to UEFA by an anti-racism body. Although linked to the Red Hand of Ulster, the gestures were misinterpreted as Nazi salutes.

Rangers offered a swift response to UEFA's call for clarification, and a spokesman for the European body told PA Sport: 'The disciplinary unit will not be taking any further action.

'It is also the sign of the Red Hand of Ulster and this convinced the disciplinary unit to end their investigation.'

While that decision came as a relief to Rangers, the club have warned their supporters such salutes will not be tolerated tomorrow, in the second leg against Hapoel at Ibrox.

Rangers chief executive Martin Bain said: 'The photographs in question show a small number of Rangers fans in Tel-Aviv making one-arm salute gestures.

'Some Rangers fans continue to give 'Red Hand' salutes which the club and the vast majority of supporters discourage because they will be misinterpreted.

'We have regularly consulted with our supporters groups and they have said they are doing everything they can to prevent this.'

Bain added: 'We have repeatedly made clear that fans should not make any gestures that can be misinterpreted and we are urging all fans attending the game tomorrow night to remember the potential consequences.'

Rangers manager Walter Smith last week warned travelling supporters to refrain from any sectarian chanting against Hapoel.

UEFA fined Rangers £13,000 last season after supporters were heard chanting discriminatory songs during both legs of the last-16 Champions League clash against Villarreal.

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