Falkirk suspend PA announcer over 'inappropriate' comments about Rangers

 

Lisa Gray
Monday 20 August 2012 15:16 BST
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Falkirk have suspended their PA announcer for making “inappropriate” comments about Rangers at the weekend.

The Irn-Bru First Division side have also apologised to the Ibrox club and launched an investigation into the incident.

The stadium announcer reportedly referred to Rangers as "Sevco Franchise" when reading out half-time scores during the interval at Falkirk's game against Raith Rovers on Saturday.

The remarks make reference to Sevco Scotland, the name of the company who purchased the business and assets of Rangers in the summer after the club was consigned to liquidation.

Shareholders voted in favour of owners Sevco Scotland Limited changing its name to The Rangers Football Club Limited at an extraordinary general meeting in July.

A statement from chairman Martin Ritchie on Falkirk's official website read: "It has been brought to our attention that our PA announcer made some inappropriate comments about Rangers at half-time on Saturday.

"We have already apologised to Rangers FC and would now like to apologise to the many Rangers supporters who have been in contact with the club.

"Falkirk FC are treating this incident very seriously and the individual concerned has been suspended from his duties, pending a full investigation by the club."

Both clubs are set to face each other in the second round of the Ramsdens Cup tomorrow night at the Falkirk Stadium, before meeting again in the Scottish Communities League Cup at Ibrox next week.

When asked about the comments, Rangers manager Ally McCoist said: "I couldn't give a monkey's to be honest with you.

"If he wants to have a wee dig, he can have a wee dig. I don't have a problem with it at all.

"It's probably not the right thing to do, I'd have to say, but I've got far bigger things to worry about than that."

PA

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