FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Begins:
"In advance of the Celtic vs Rangers fixture on Saturday 19 November, The Rangers Supporters' Trust have today expressed serious concern about the nature of the policing in the match at Celtic Park on Wednesday 9th November.
Following reports from Trust members who attended that game the RST Board met on Tuesday 15th November and will be writing to Strathclyde Police asking the following six questions:
Why were Rangers fans at the CIS Cup game statistically 90 times* more likely to be arrested for sectarian offences than Celtic supporters?
What do the Police define as 'sectarian' singing?
Why did the Match Commander express concern in the Evening Times about sectarian singing 'particularly from the Rangers end', when the bulk of the 52,000 home support repeatedly sang about the Rangers Manager being an 'orange bastard'?
Of those fans arrested on 9th November, how many were subsequently charged?
Given the relatively peaceful nature of the game, why was there a marked increase in 'sectarian' arrests at this match?
What specifically changed in terms of arrest criteria and instructions to Police officers attending between the Rangers vs Celtic match at Ibrox on 20th August and the game last week?
Stephen Smith, a Trust spokesperson said: "The Trust has repeatedly condemned sectarianism and bigotry, but current evidence suggests that Police are acting on a nakedly political agenda by systematically and unreasonably targeting Rangers supporters. For instance, one of our members was threatened with arrest last Wednesday for singing a song asking Aiden McGeady what part of Ireland he was from.
Everyone wants to see an improved atmosphere and a reduction in unacceptable behaviour at football matches but the only way to achieve this is to engage football supporters in a meaningful, adult dialogue. Arbitrarily arresting people to inflate headline numbers and give the appearance of meaningful police activity will simply alienate supporters.
All we are seeking for Rangers fans is fair treatment and objective, neutral policing; the Trust will vigourously pursue this issue - initially with Strathclyde Police - until we achieve a satisfactory outcome."
ENDS
(* based on 26 arrests from 7,000 Rangers supporters, 2 arrests from 52,000 Celtic supporters for allegedly sectarian offences on 9th November)