A World Cup full of memorable moments was also marked by exclusion, exploitation and unprecedented political meddling, writes JAMES NALTON
A mere two months after Rangers commended their fans for showing “restraint” following their 3-2 defeat to Hibernian in the Scottish Cup final, the Ibrox club has now issued letters banning the same fans indefinitely for the violence that stained Scottish football’s premier cup competition.
The club’s imposing of bans on fans — even those who have not been found guilty yet — flies in the face of statements issued by the club in the days following the cup final.
The first statement praised Rangers supporters for their “restraint… under severe provocation” — despite footage showing quite clearly that Rangers fans willingly invaded the pitch to attack Hibernian fans.
Police face ‘extreme hostility’ as fans clash following Scottish Cup tie
ROGER MCKENZIE argues that it was correct to ban the notorious Israeli side who were likely to cause trouble in Muslim areas of Birmingham, but asks, given the occupation and slaughter in Palestine, why any Israeli team is being hosted anywhere
JAMES NALTON writes on the bizarre Aston Villa v Maccabi Tel Aviv scandal



