Phillipe Clement issues warning to pyro thugs as Rangers hit with disciplinary action over Hampden firework displays

Phillipe Clement has warned Rangers fans that pyrotechnic displays will hit the Ibrox club in the pocket and cost him the funds he needs to improve his team.

Clement joined Brendan Rodgers in speaking out after the SPFL levelled disciplinary charges at Rangers, Celtic and Motherwell over the ‘irresponsible’ and ‘unacceptable’ use of fireworks at the disrupted Premier Sports Cup semi-finals at Hampden last month.

The three clubs will face independent disciplinary panels early next year, with both Old Firm bosses hoping there is no repeat of the scenes which marred the semis when the city rivals meet in the final next Sunday.

Celtic’s last-four clash with Aberdeen was delayed by 14 minutes as smoke engulfed the stadium after fans in the Glasgow club’s end set off fireworks and flares.

The following day’s Rangers and Motherwell game was also delayed by five minutes after both sets of fans set off pyrotechnics, despite a ban on their use inside stadiums in Scotland being introduced in 2023.

With Rangers having recently announced a financial loss of £17million, Clement fears that a likely fine over pyrotechnics will cost him funds in the January transfer window.

‘First, it’s not safe,’ he said. ‘Secondly, it costs the club money and we want to use that money in a better way so we can do the right things with the squad. This is so the squad becomes better and the fans can be more happy with the squad.

‘So, again, a clear message that it doesn’t help in any sense towards the team in that way.

‘I understand that people want to make a good atmosphere and maybe use those things, but the best thing they can use is their voice and sing to support the players.

‘In that way, I’ve been really happy in Scottish football with the atmosphere in the stadiums and that’s much more important.

‘I can only say what I’ve said the last couple of times. I think it’s really clear for everybody with good intentions for the club.’

Rodgers also called for the pyrotechnics to stop, insisting it’s only a matter of time before a fan is hurt or a player suffers an injury due to a delayed kick-off.

The Celtic boss admitted the SPFL charges came as no surprise, and urged supporters to see sense and stop the pyro displays as a matter of safety above anything else.

Insisting that the fireworks and flares add nothing as a spectacle, he said: ‘My reaction is exactly the same as it is when I see it at any other ground or with any other team.

‘It’s not a surprise. I just think it’s something that should be done (stopping pyros). I don’t see what the pyro adds to the game, so I think it’s right they look into it and try to stop it hopefully.

‘The safety is of paramount importance for, firstly, the people in the stand. I always worry about people that are in and around that area when they’re going off.

‘When you’re young, sometimes you don’t see the dangers, you don’t see or think of other people. But that’s a concern for me, for supporters, especially our own supporters when they’re there.

‘And then my concern is also within the players, because when you’re preparing for a game of football, it’s detailed.

‘Your preparation is to the second, so that you’re ready to go whenever the kick-off is ready to start. I think we were delayed by 14 minutes in that semi-final.

‘That can be the cause of someone getting injured, especially when it’s at this time of the year.

‘You prepare, your details are there, you go to start the game, but you can’t. You’re standing about, you’re waiting, so all that preparation that you put in, the body’s cold again and the muscles are at risk.

‘So these are the little things that maybe you would never think about when you’re holding the flare or sticking something up in the air.

‘The safety element of it for supporters and players is paramount. So it’s not just Celtic, the message is for every club. The pyro doesn’t add anything.’

The SPFL have fired the opening shot in a more vigilant stance towards fireworks in Scottish grounds, condemning the behaviour of a ‘minority of fans’ in last month’s games at Hampden.

Mail Sport understands, however, that the move is *not* the precursor to the adoption of UEFA’s strict liability justice system, where clubs are held liable for the behaviour of their own fans.

An SPFL statement read: ‘The large-scale, organised and illegal pyrotechnics displays carried out by a small minority of supporters before the Celtic v Aberdeen and Motherwell v Rangers matches were totally unacceptable.

‘This irresponsible behaviour by a minority of fans led to a 14-minute delay to Celtic v Aberdeen, a five-minute delay to Motherwell v Rangers and caused significant inconvenience to thousands of fans at the game and to supporters watching worldwide.

‘The SPFL, Scottish FA, Police Scotland and other organisations have been clear that such use of pyrotechnics is illegal and poses clear dangers and health and safety risks to fellow supporters, players and those working at matches.

‘There have been a number of complaints from supporters about these incidents and the SPFL and Scottish FA have been in ongoing discussions with the clubs involved in the weeks since the semi-finals.

‘The SPFL can now confirm that Celtic, Motherwell and Rangers have all been issued with formal notices of complaint under SPFL Rule H34 and each club will face a disciplinary hearing.’