Rangers FC have been handed a suspended partial stadium closure and fines totalling nearly £50,000 by UEFA following "racist and/or discriminatory" behaviour during their Europa League match against Fenerbahce.
The Ibrox club now faces a two-year probationary period, with the Copland Stand at risk of closure if similar incidents occur.
Rangers have confirmed they are issuing lifetime bans to individuals responsible for displaying an offensive banner during the match.
UEFA deemed the suspended partial stadium closure a fitting punishment after a banner was displayed with the words, "Keep woke foreign ideologies out. Defend Europe."
Rangers have been punished by UEFA after fans' banner
XThe sanctions also include fines for "improper conduct of the team", "blocking of public passageways" and "throwing of objects" during the Fenerbahce match.
The club will only face actual closure of the Copland Stand if racist or discriminatory behaviour is repeated within the two-year probation period.
The banner was displayed by the Union Bears group during the match against Fenerbahce, which UEFA determined constituted racist or discriminatory behaviour.
In response, Rangers issued a statement saying: "In response to the displaying of the racist and/or discriminatory banner at the Fenerbahce game, the club can confirm that it is in the process of issuing lifetime bans to the individuals responsible."
The club emphasised that this punishment should serve as a "severe and significant reminder" to the minority of supporters who damage Rangers' reputation.
Rangers warned that any repeat of discriminatory behaviour, including "the singing of illicit songs", could result in the closure of the "Rangers end" for a UEFA match.
The club stated: "Not only will the reputation and finances of the club be harmed by such a punishment, but the chances of the team in a potentially key European match will also suffer enormously."
They added that "thousands of innocent fans will be unable to attend a massive fixture" if further incidents occur.
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Rangers are set to hand lifetime bans out to fans
PAThe club also addressed the use of pyrotechnics at the Old Firm game at Parkhead, confirming that groups responsible will face a 500 ticket reduction when Rangers next appear in the latter stages of the Premier Sports Cup at Hampden.
Rangers warned that future use of pyrotechnics at any SPFL match could lead to a further reduction of 800 tickets at a later Premier Sports Cup match.
Rangers described their supporters as "the strongest asset this football club has" and acknowledged that the "overwhelming majority" would be angered by these incidents and their consequences.
The club concluded their statement by reiterating their "call for all supporters to back the team in the correct manner, and to challenge those who seek to further damage the good name of Rangers."
