RANGERS say the inability to deal swiftly and properly with the May cup final riot is a "stain on Scottish football".

The club says it is "shocked" that no action has been taken by Scottish football's governing body over assaults on Rangers players and officials during May's cup final disorder.

And they say the nature of the charges brought against Hibs and Rangers dismissed by a judicial panel were "fundamentally flawed from the outset".

The club says the "cannot understand" why the focus was on compensating for damage to Hampden rather than "ensuring the safety of players and officials".

Scottish ministers have called for measures to ensure football authorities in Scotland can take action over disorder at football matches.

The Herald:

Their call for procedural change comes after raising concern that Hibs and Rangers were left in the clear over paying for the damage to Hampden.

The rejection of strict liability rules to tackle fan misbehaviour was a major factor as a judicial panel dismissed a Scottish Football Association complaint that called for the clubs to cover the cost of the destruction at the national stadium.

The club is now demanding urgent clarification from the Scottish FA over how they intend "ensuring the safety of players and officials" participating in this season’s Scottish Cup.

More than 70 Rangers and Hibs supporters have so far been arrested for violence on the pitch, with Rangers players Wes Foderingham and Andy Halliday among those assaulted by rival fans.

Rangers said: The club has been left shocked by the SFA’s approach to this vital safety issue and by the decision not to seek sanctions in respect of the assaults by Hibernian supporters on Rangers players and officials at the end of the cup final.

"The Scottish FA must have a basic duty of care to ensure the safety of players and officials in matches played in their competitions and at Hampden."

The Herald:

Hibs triumphed 3-2 to win the Scottish Cup for the first time in 114 years on May 21, but the post match celebrations were marred by scenes of crowd disorder, a pitch invasion and damage to goalposts, corner flags, seats and advertising hoardings.

Hibs, in welcoming the decision confirmed it has paid a sum, so far undisclosed, to cover for damage to the pitch.

The independent judicial panel decision had meant that neither club were obliged to pay a penny for the the damage caused at Hampden.

The main decision to reject the pursuit of Hibs for damage to the ground, meant the SFA case against Rangers was withdrawn.

Rangers added: "The continued failure to deal properly and promptly with issues surrounding the cup final is alarming and a stain on Scottish football. The SFA must confront and learn from the issues that arose. Rangers owe it to our players and supporters to ensure that the SFA's duty of care is upheld and that those with authority in Scottish football create a safe environment for the game.

"It should be understood Rangers will not tolerate any of their employees being attacked with impunity.