Rangers Football Club is opposed to racism, sectarianism, bigotry and all other forms of inappropriate behaviour. The Club wants supporters to experience an atmosphere where everyone can feel respected, comfortable and safe when they come to Ibrox, and when they meet Rangers away from home.

The Club`s Pride Over Prejudice initiative was launched in August 2003 to promote social inclusion and encourage tolerance of all sections of the community. Since its inception the programme has highlighted the issues involved, reinforced the Club`s commitment to dealing with them and encouraged fans via the 'Blue Guide', Policy Statement, '10 point plan' and most recently the 'Wee Blue Book' not only to act as ambassadors for the Club, but also to support our stance by coming forward to report and condemn the inappropriate behaviour of a minority who bring our Club and its fans into disrepute.

A Pride Over Prejudice Monitoring committee exists to ensure that we continue to make progress in this area. The Club also works closely with organisations such as Sense Over Sectarianism, The Rangers Ready to Learn Education Centre, Show Racism the Red Card and a variety of other interested parties.

The Committee, originally comprising Club staff, was expanded in November 2006 to include prominent figures from business, politics and the media.

Charan Gill, Glasgow-based entrepreneur and founder of the Harlequin Leisure Group, Alasdair Morrison, MSP for the Western Isles.Harry Reid, former editor of The Herald newspaper and social commentator and Jim Templeton, President of the Rangers Assembly - the umbrella organisation for supporters' groups, are now part of the team dedicated to stamping out these social problems.

The Club has worked tirelessly in this area. Indeed, UEFA has publicly endorsed Rangers Football Club for its recent efforts to tackle sectarianism.

A new 'Unite Against Racism' document drafted by the game's governing body, to be sent to every senior professional club in Europe in August 2006, commends the Club's 'Pride Over Prejudice' initiative and highlights the positive steps Rangers has taken to silence the unacceptable minority.

We welcome UEFA's acknowledgement in their 'Unite Against Racism' document, although we will continue to work hard to eradicate sectarianism at Ibrox and during away games.

CLICK HERE to read UEFA's document

UEFA's Director of Communications William Gaillard, during a trip to Ibrox Stadium in November 2006, also praised the Club for its efforts in this area.

CLICK HERE to read his comments

The vast majority of Rangers fans are in full agreement that Rangers, and its fans, should not suffer from the actions of a small minority and they are opposed to sectarian, racist and inappropriate behaviour.

It is important that every single fan protects and enhances Rangers reputation so that everyone associated with the Club can all be proud. That is why Rangers asks its fans to -

· Sing the songs in the 'Wee Blue Book' which celebrate the Club, its honours and achievements both past and present
· Wear recognised Rangers strips and traditional team colours
· Display legitimate flags and banners
· Avoid gestures and salutes that could be taken as offensive

Rangers also ask fans who hear someone behaving in an inappropriate manner, putting the Club at risk, to report them anonymously or otherwise.

You can write in confidence to Pride Over Prejudice, Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow, G51 2XD or telephone the incident hotline on 0871 702 1972^ and press option 6. You can also text 'RFC' and the match and date, details of the unacceptable behaviour you experienced, and location including stand, area, row and seat number where possible to 66099.

Fans who do behave in an inappropriate manner, bringing the Club into disrepute will face limited or lifetime bans, loss of their season ticket, or arrest by the Police. Bans will apply to supporters' clubs as well as individuals.

Sectarianism and Racism Monitoring Committee

A Sectarianism and Racism Monitoring Committee exists within Ibrox and meets fortnightly to discuss all issues relating to the Club's policy on equality and associated initiatives and campaigns.

The committee includes representatives from all sectors of the Club, such as supporters liaison, the Press Office, marketing, commercial, security and retail.

The committee makes recommendations to the Board of Directors and works with a number of organisations interested in sectarianism and racism including the Scottish Executive, Nil By Mouth, Sense Over Sectarianism, the Rangers Study Support Centre, the police and Show Racism the Red Card.

The committee has also worked with UEFA to ensure the Club is fully compliant with their 10 Point Action Plan against racism.

Nil By Mouth and Sense Over Sectarianism

Rangers FC is actively involved in a range of initiatives which address issues of racism and sectarianism.

The Club supported the campaign 'Nil By Mouth' during its set-up and launch in 1999 and has since continued to work with the charity, both individually and as part of 'Sense Over Sectarianism'.

Rangers FC, Celtic FC, the Catholic and Protestant Churches, Glasgow City Council and Nil By Mouth all entered into a unique partnership to form 'Sense Over Sectarianism' in 2001. SOS was supported by the Millennium Commission and distributed £402,100 to initiatives which challenged existing attitudes and assumptions which contribute to sectarian and other divisions in society.

SOS was a huge success and completed its term in 2004 having assisted 120 different organisations and projects. SOS Co-ordinator Alison Logan is now involved in working with the partner organisations beyond the original term of the agreement thanks to funding from the Equalities Unit of the Scottish Executive. 

Ready To Learn and Football in the Community

Rangers, along with Glasgow City Council Education Department, conducts an extensive education programme called 'Ready To learn' via the Club's ground breaking Study Support Centre designed to educate future generations of supporters. The initiative encourages schoolchildren to be aware of racism, sectarianism and bigotry.

The Club also invites 30 children to every home match as part of the project where they participate in a workshop designed to reinforce the messages of the 'Ready to Learn' programme as well operating a range of other workshops and projects.

Rangers Football in the Community programme also does important work in these areas with children of all ages.In April 2005, Rangers Football in the Community teamed up with Celtic FC to create the 'Old Firm alliance' initiative which works with children across Glasgow to improve health and fitness and educate them on issues such as sectarianism, anti-social behaviour and healthy eating.

Safety and Security

Rangers Head of Safety and Security Laurence Macintyre responds to complaints from both Rangers and opposing fans on a day to day basis and issues warnings, indefinite bans and life bans to both individuals and official supporters' clubs.

Since the launch of the Blue Guide in 2003, supporters have had more confidence to come forward and highlight inappropriate behaviour, knowing that the Club will deal with their complaints. Undercover stewards have even been used in response to complaints to verify and act upon information passed to the Club from decent fans who follow the Club's guidelines. These actions have resulted in bans from the Stadium.

Mr Macintyre was involved in the creation of the official website of the Football Safety Officers Association Scotland which includes information on sectarianism and bigotry in football and ways to deal with it.

To view a copy of the policy document CLICK HERE