Club 1872 Response to Ibrox Fanzone FOI Release

Club 1872 has, over the past few days, examined Glasgow City Council and Glasgow Life Freedom of Information (FOI) emails and documents relating to the denial of permission for a Rangers Fanzone. The information released was extensive despite Glasgow City Council previously informing Club 1872 that they held no information on this matter.

The documents confirm the intervention of Council Leader Susan Aitken and Deputy Leader David McDonald, outside of due process for a quasi-judicial hearing. Although their names have been redacted by Glasgow City Council, multiple internal and external emails reference their intervention at a meeting on 1st August, the night before the formal withdrawal of permission by Glasgow Life for the use of the facility. Club 1872 is in no doubt that this intervention was the reason for the withdrawal of permission. This matter should have been considered by the Licensing Committee hearing scheduled for August 6th, which was subsequently cancelled.

The emails also show that, contrary to previous statements from the pair, Glasgow Life was still discussing granting permission for use of the Ibrox Complex as late as 30th July.

A further email outlines the correct process, which was for the objections of Councillor Stephen Dornan and the Ibrox and Cessnock Community Council to be heard and considered at the licensing hearing.

Emails also show that when further information was provided, Ibrox and Cessnock Community Council was encouraged by someone at Glasgow City Council (name redacted) to discuss and vote on their opposition to the fanzone in private instead of at an open public meeting.

These emails paint a disturbing picture of elected councillors interfering in the licensing process and overturning the advice and guidance of more qualified Council and Glasgow Life officials.

Club 1872 has been encouraged by the efforts of the Glasgow City Council and Glasgow Life CEOs to engage with Rangers and make positive progress over the past few weeks. However, we remain deeply concerned at the actions of Councillors Aitken, McDonald and Dornan. What guarantee does the Rangers support have that these individuals will not try to intervene again despite these positive discussions?

Club 1872 will now progress our publicly stated action on this matter via the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life. We will also pursue the original response from Glasgow City Council, which claimed they held no information on the matter, with the Scottish Information Commissioner. It will not always be possible for us to publicly communicate our progress on these fronts as we follow the processes of these bodies, but members and the wider Rangers support should rest assured that Club 1872 will pursue this matter to a conclusion.

Issued by Supporters Voice Limited, a Club 1872 company