Dundee United are refusing to become embroiled in a war of words with Rangers over the Glasgow side’s controversial decision not to accept a ticket allocation for the Scottish Cup tie between the clubs.
Ibrox chief executive Charles Green issued a statement on Monday asking the Light Blues’ support to give the fifth round tie at Tannadice on February 2 a miss, alluding to perceived slights from the past and claiming: ”Everyone at this club is dismayed at the actions of certain SPL clubs which were actively engaged in trying to harm Rangers when we were in a perilous situation and we are acutely aware of their attitude to us”.
Green, the rest of the Rangers board, senior management and staff threw their weight behind the call to their fans to turn their backs on the game, which will be shown live on Sky with a 12.45pm kick-off.
The United board met yesterday morning to discuss the matter and while they were determined not to inflame the situation further, they are seeking advice from the SFA.
The club statement said: ”It is with huge disappointment that we read both the content and tone of the statement from Rangers, stating that they will not be taking any tickets for our Scottish Cup tie in February and urging their supporters not to attend.
”However, we do not intend to enter into a war of words with Rangers or to dignify their position by responding in kind.
”We have noted their decision not to take any tickets for this cup tie and will now act accordingly in arranging the match.
”The statement from Rangers makes it clear that their fans should not attend. We have therefore raised a number of related matters with the Scottish FA and will be making no further public statement until their advice has been received.”
Despite Rangers refusing to accept an allocation of tickets for the cup game, they will still be entitled to a share of gate receipts, a fact that has angered United fans’ groups.
In a joint statement released by the Federation of Dundee United Supporters Clubs and ArabTRUST, they issued a call for the game’s governing body to change their rules so that all monies for the game will remain at Tannadice.
They also hit back at finger-pointing by Light Blues fans’ groups who had called for a boycott of the game, citing what they believed to be United’s anti-Rangers stance following the Govan side’s liquidation as well as the decision to charge the club’s fans twice for a rearranged cup tie in 2009.
The joint Federation and ArabTRUST release states: ”In a time when Scottish football needs to look to the future and how we can rebuild our game, it’s sad that some parties choose to refer to past alleged indiscretions against their club as an excuse to not attend the match.
”In the instances referred to by Rangers supporters, a court of law decided that Dundee United had acted appropriately in respect of ticketing post the abandoned game in 2009.
”As for the decision by the SPL to take action against Rangers in the summer, this was made by the majority of clubs not only Dundee United.
”We believe that the stance taken by Rangers brings them into disrepute in respect of the Scottish Cup.
”We therefore call on the SFA to act strongly, in particular by stating that the normal competition rules in respect of an equal split of gate money do not apply in this case and that all revenues should be retained by Dundee United.
”We also put trust in the SFA using their powers to ensure that fans are free to choose whether to attend games or not and that our competitions, which rely on spectator participation to ensure continued commercial and media profile, are not devalued as a result of the actions of one member club against another.
”We call on all Arabs to pack Tannadice and get behind the team in February.
”As supporters bodies, we do not agree with any boycott fans are the lifeblood of the game.