Europa League: Rangers 'Bemused' By French Authority's No-Fans Decision Against Lyon

Scottish Rangers FC said on Monday they were "bemused and frustrated" by French authorities' decision to block fans from travelling to this week's Europa League game at Lyon.

The Scottish champions head to France on Thursday but will be unable to play in front of visiting supporters due to policing issues.

"We understand that there is a 'festival of light' planned in the city which will test the policing resource and city infrastructure," they said.

"We previously underlined to our support that the local authorities in France were being intransigent and initially unwilling to engage.

"Only late last week they agreed that we could have 2 200 supporters admitted.

"The decision to reverse this is bemusing, and extremely frustrating, given the short notice.

"It beggars belief that three days after that decision was taken and three days before the match is due to be played, it is our supporters who are now going to be left out of pocket by this decision by the French interior minister," they added.

Rangers are already guaranteed a place in the second-tier competition's last 16 alongside Group A leaders Lyon.