Murray warning over away tickets

Rangers fans could be banned from domestic away games

Rangers chairman Sir David Murray says the club will consider banning its fans from domestic away games if sectarian chanting is not eradicated.

Murray told BBC Scotland it was one option being considered by the club to combat bigotry.

Rangers fans' groups are to launch a new "self-policing" initiative to tackle the problem.

The aim is to review behaviour at away games with a brief to "isolate and shame" those who fail to comply.

Interview: Sir David Murray

The club recently attracted heavy criticism following the conduct of fans at the Uefa Cup tie with Osasuna.

We'd consider not only not taking tickets to away European games, but maybe not to domestic games also Rangers chairman Sir David Murray

Following a meeting this week, Rangers chairman Sir David Murray, chief executive Martin Bain and supporters' organisations agreed a joint venture to try and stamp out the problem.

Murray said: "We have a small element of supporters who are totally unhelpful to the good name of Rangers Football Club.

"The vast majority of Rangers supporters go to games and go about their business in a correct manner.

"We're trying to isolate the few who do not do so - that's what our target is."

Murray added: "We'd consider not only not taking tickets to away European games, but maybe not to domestic games also."

A statement released following Friday's meeting, read: "We are agreed that the strongest possible action should be taken against people who continue to indulge in sectarian behaviour.

"This kind of behaviour will simply result in a doomsday scenario for the club and the vast majority of fans," added the statement.

"It is clear to everyone that the future of fan behaviour lies in the fans' own hands and real improvement in fan behaviour will work best through self-policing."

"This, of course, will be done in addition to the stringent policing and stewarding measures already enforced by the club and the police."

The measures promised by the club and supporters' organisations include:

Supporters groups to issue anti-sectarian guidance to all supporters clubs

Anti-sectarian messages to be featured on all possible websites including Follow Follow fanzine

Supporters groups and the club to urge fans not to travel to away matches without officially endorsed tickets

The club will undertake a major review of the Rangers Travel Club operations

Supporters to inform fans on songs and chants that 'do Rangers proud'

Code of conduct to be produced by supporters for supporters

Players to deliver anti-sectarian messages to supporters' clubs

A spokesman for anti-sectarian campaigners Nil by Mouth welcomed the proposal, saying: "For years we have campaigned as part of our Old Firm Action Plan for the clubs to consult fans in establishing a code of conduct to challenge sectarian behaviour.

"Only by being absolutely clear about what standards are expected - and particularly what behaviour is unacceptable - will sectarian behaviour be effectively challenged.

"This is an opportunity for real football supporters to play a key role in challenging the sectarian abuse which so many of us wish to see eradicated."