ENGLISH COPS DON'T WANT GERS FANS
Police scrap Bolton clash over trouble fears
By Keith Jackson
ENGLISH cops last night called off Rangers' friendly with Bolton and labelled their fans a threat to public safety.
Ibrox boss Paul Le Guen had hoped to round off his summer schedule with a trip to the Reebok Stadium on Tuesday - four days ahead of the SPL curtainraiser at Motherwell.
But his preparations were thrown into chaos when Greater Manchester Police refused point blank to deal with the club's travelling support. The news has come as a further hammer blow to the reputation of the Rangers support which is still reeling from UEFA's end-of-season probe into sectarian chanting.
Now cops in England say they want nothing to do with the Glasgow club's travelling fans - despite the commendations showered on those supporters who travelled to Derby earlier this summer for Ted McMinn's testimonial.
Record Sport has learned the decision was made after Greater Manchester Police chiefs held talks with several English forces who have policed Rangers pre-season games in the past ten years.
The talks included a briefing from cops in Merseyside who told how they made 60 arrests before a friendly match against Everton had even kicked off.
Cops were also concerned at Rangers' estimates of the number of expected to travel to the match.
Although the club sold just over 2000 tickets, cops feared over 12,000 were set to make the trip with many of them already on holiday in resorts such as Blackpool.
But Rangers believe the decision is a slap in the face coming from the same police force that welcomed 30,000 Celtic fans to Manchester for Roy Keane's testimonial at the end of last season. Ibrox chiefs are furious and feel their support is being victimised.
Bolton Division Chief Superintendent Dave Lea said: "Following detailed discussions between GMP and Bolton Wanderers it has been decided GMP are not in a position to offer policing to the BWFC v Rangers game which had been planned for Tuesday, July 25 on grounds of public safety.
"We recognise that the nonprovision of policing services means the game cannot go ahead as the terms of licence are not fulfilled.
"It is regrettable that this decision had to be made but public safety is always paramount."
Rangers were shocked by the decision but moved quickly to make sure the damage done to Le Guen's programme is minimised.
They reached a hurried agreement with Bolton to play the match behind closed doors in Glasgow next Tuesday. It is not clear whether the game will be staged inside an empty Ibrox or at the club's Murray Park training ground.
The Ibrox club issued a statement which read: "Despite having a contract in place and previous approval from Greater Manchester Police to play a pre-season friendly against Bolton we are astonished to learn this match has been cancelled on the recommendation of the local Match Commander.
"The reason given to Rangers by Greater Manchester Police is that they are 'unable to provide the Policing service to meet the needs of the event'.
"We have exhausted the avenues of appeal and have now no alternative but to accept the decision.
"The club apologises to the 2362 fans who have already purchased tickets in Glasgow and made arrangements to travel. The circumstances however, are totally outwith our control. A full ticket refund, including booking fees, will be made to all fans."
Police scrap Bolton clash over trouble fears
By Keith Jackson
ENGLISH cops last night called off Rangers' friendly with Bolton and labelled their fans a threat to public safety.
Ibrox boss Paul Le Guen had hoped to round off his summer schedule with a trip to the Reebok Stadium on Tuesday - four days ahead of the SPL curtainraiser at Motherwell.
But his preparations were thrown into chaos when Greater Manchester Police refused point blank to deal with the club's travelling support. The news has come as a further hammer blow to the reputation of the Rangers support which is still reeling from UEFA's end-of-season probe into sectarian chanting.
Now cops in England say they want nothing to do with the Glasgow club's travelling fans - despite the commendations showered on those supporters who travelled to Derby earlier this summer for Ted McMinn's testimonial.
Record Sport has learned the decision was made after Greater Manchester Police chiefs held talks with several English forces who have policed Rangers pre-season games in the past ten years.
The talks included a briefing from cops in Merseyside who told how they made 60 arrests before a friendly match against Everton had even kicked off.
Cops were also concerned at Rangers' estimates of the number of expected to travel to the match.
Although the club sold just over 2000 tickets, cops feared over 12,000 were set to make the trip with many of them already on holiday in resorts such as Blackpool.
But Rangers believe the decision is a slap in the face coming from the same police force that welcomed 30,000 Celtic fans to Manchester for Roy Keane's testimonial at the end of last season. Ibrox chiefs are furious and feel their support is being victimised.
Bolton Division Chief Superintendent Dave Lea said: "Following detailed discussions between GMP and Bolton Wanderers it has been decided GMP are not in a position to offer policing to the BWFC v Rangers game which had been planned for Tuesday, July 25 on grounds of public safety.
"We recognise that the nonprovision of policing services means the game cannot go ahead as the terms of licence are not fulfilled.
"It is regrettable that this decision had to be made but public safety is always paramount."
Rangers were shocked by the decision but moved quickly to make sure the damage done to Le Guen's programme is minimised.
They reached a hurried agreement with Bolton to play the match behind closed doors in Glasgow next Tuesday. It is not clear whether the game will be staged inside an empty Ibrox or at the club's Murray Park training ground.
The Ibrox club issued a statement which read: "Despite having a contract in place and previous approval from Greater Manchester Police to play a pre-season friendly against Bolton we are astonished to learn this match has been cancelled on the recommendation of the local Match Commander.
"The reason given to Rangers by Greater Manchester Police is that they are 'unable to provide the Policing service to meet the needs of the event'.
"We have exhausted the avenues of appeal and have now no alternative but to accept the decision.
"The club apologises to the 2362 fans who have already purchased tickets in Glasgow and made arrangements to travel. The circumstances however, are totally outwith our control. A full ticket refund, including booking fees, will be made to all fans."
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