Rangers warned over 'Famine song'

Rangers fans were warned they could face arrest if they chanted the 'Famine song' during the Co-operative Insurance Cup quarter-final against Hamilton.

Police issued the warning before Tuesday's cup tie at Ibrox, but the chant was not heard during the game.

The Famine Song refers to events that killed an estimated one million people in the 1840s and led to a mass migration from Ireland.

Rangers have asked their fans to refrain from singing the song.

Speaking before the game, BBC Scotland's football correspondent Chick Young said: "I understand that Strathclyde Police put out a warning to Rangers fans tonight that anyone caught singing the Famine song may be arrested.

"Rangers have told the police they will co-operate with them in this matter. This is a very pro-active decision by the police."

Earlier this week, the Scottish FA president George Peat also urged fans not to sing the song, which includes the line: "The famine's over, why don't you go home."

Sections of the Rangers support were heard singing it during last Saturday's 3-1 league victory away to Hamilton Accies.

Peat said the SFA was determined to help eradicate offensive chanting from SPL grounds, adding that he intended to hold talks with the Scottish Premier League and police on the issue.

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