Barry Ferguson Left Reeling as UEFA Slaps Rangers with Harsh Penalty After Fenerbahce Clash
Rangers interim head coach Barry Ferguson is grappling with the fallout from a severe UEFA sanction following the club’s Europa League last-16 victory over Fenerbahce on March 13, 2025. The dramatic penalty shootout triumph at Ibrox, which secured Rangers’ place in the quarter-finals against Athletic Bilbao, has been overshadowed by a hefty fine and a suspended stand closure, leaving Ferguson and the club in disarray as they prepare for the crucial second leg in Bilbao.
UEFA announced a series of penalties stemming from incidents during the Fenerbahce match, where Rangers lost 2-0 but prevailed 3-2 on penalties thanks to goalkeeper Jack Butland’s heroics. The governing body imposed a €30,000 (£25,000) fine for an offensive banner displayed by Rangers supporters in the Copland Stand, deemed “racist and/or discriminatory.” More alarmingly, UEFA issued a suspended closure of the 8,000-capacity Copland Stand for one European match, to be enforced if similar behavior recurs within the next two years. Additional fines of €6,000 (£5,000) for blocking passageways, €4,500 (£3,755) for throwing objects, and €8,000 (£6,676) for “improper conduct of the team” after seven Rangers players were booked have piled on the pressure.
The sanctions have cast a dark cloud over what should have been a moment of celebration for Ferguson, who hailed his team’s “character in abundance” after the shootout win. Rangers have responded by pursuing lifetime bans for those responsible for the banner, stating, “The overwhelming majority of our supporters will be angered by these episodes and the consequences they have for the club.” However, the damage to the club’s reputation and Ferguson’s interim tenure is
Ferguson, a Rangers legend who took over as interim boss after Philippe Clement’s dismissal, now faces intense scrutiny. His side’s domestic campaign has been disastrous—trailing Celtic by 16 points in the Premiership, dumped out of the Scottish Cup by Queen’s Park, and beaten in the League Cup final by their arch-rivals. The Europa League represents Rangers’ last hope for silverware, but the UEFA penalties have exposed deeper issues off the pitch that threaten to derail their European dreams.
The first leg against Athletic Bilbao ended in a tense 0-0 draw at Ibrox, with Rangers reduced to 10 men after Robin Propper’s early red card and surviving a late penalty scare when Bilbao’s Álex Berenguer saw his spot-kick saved by Liam Kelly. Ferguson praised his team’s resilience, but the looming threat of further UEFA action has left him “in total shambles,” according to sources close to the club. The prospect of playing a future European match without the Copland Stand’s vocal support is a nightmare scenario for a team already struggling for momentum.
The UEFA ruling has sparked outrage among Rangers supporters, many of whom feel unfairly targeted. Some have taken to social media to argue that the banner, while controversial, was misinterpreted, while others blame a minority for jeopardizing the club’s European campaign. The fines, totaling nearly €50,000, add financial strain to a club already navigating a turbulent season, with fans questioning how Ferguson can unify the squad and supporters ahead of the Bilbao clash.
Athletic Bilbao’s San Mamés Stadium, where the second leg will be played on April 17, 2025, is a fortress renowned for its intimidating atmosphere. Bilbao’s fans, inspired by their historical bond with Celtic, are expected to create a cauldron of noise to unsettle Rangers, with some even planning Celtic-style taunts to exploit the Glasgow rivalry. Ferguson’s side, already without suspended players Mohamed Diomande and John Souttar for the first leg, must now contend with the psychological weight of UEFA’s sanctions and the hostile Basque crowd.
Ferguson’s post-match comments after the Fenerbahce win now seem hauntingly optimistic. “The fans are loving it, these nights are special,” he told TNT Sports. “They need to realise what this club’s all about.” Yet, the UEFA penalties have shifted the narrative, exposing cracks in Rangers’ discipline both on and off the field. The seven bookings against Fenerbahce, which triggered the €8,000 fine, reflect a team struggling to maintain composure under pressure—a concern that could prove costly against a Bilbao side that dominated possession in the first leg.
With the Europa League final set to be held at San Mamés on May 21, 2025, Bilbao have extra motivation to advance, while Rangers face an uphill battle to keep their European hopes alive. Ferguson, who has only four games under his belt since taking charge, must rally his players to overcome the UEFA setback and deliver a performance that silences the San Mamés crowd. A defeat could not only end Rangers’ European journey but also intensify calls for a permanent managerial change.
A Club at a Crossroads
As Rangers head to Bilbao, the UEFA penalties serve as a stark reminder of the fine margins in European football. For Barry Ferguson, the dream of leading his boyhood club to glory is now mired in controversy and uncertainty. Whether he can steer Rangers through this storm and emerge victorious in the Basque Country remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the scars of UEFA’s strict sanctions will linger long after the final whistle blows at San
