It has been reported that Rangers have increased measures to punish fans regarding children encroaching onto the pitch in the hunt for players shirts with bans to follow.
In light of the recent ‘fad’ for young kids to make their way on to the pitch at full-time to get close to their heroes and ask for their shirts, the situation has snowballed leaving Rangers with no further option.
Last Saturday’s legends game saw dozens stream from the stands onto the pitch and it was the latest event going back a couple months at Rangers games – it has to stop, simple as that
In isolation, no-one would grudge a kid receiving a shirt on the pitch but the domino effect means that more and more youngsters will want the same and many parents are allowing them to think that they should be able to get their hands on a top which isn’t the case. There was even a photo doing the rounds on social media after last weekend showing an adult writing out a message on a large card for the purposes of obtaining a shirt. WTF.
Rangers are absolutely correct to clamp down on this whole saga and it has been claimed that they are ready to issue bans, as highlighted by the Rangers Review:
“We have a zero-tolerance approach to those invading the pitch. In particular, any parent found to assist their child in entering the pitch area will be subject to club disciplinary policy.”
“Our players have been advised that they should not provide a shirt to any spectator entering the pitch area.”
Please parents, set a better example and instead encourage the next generation to be active, passionate vocal supporters of the team from the stands.