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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Mark Walker

Jablonec earn special UEFA exemption after Rangers victory

Jablonec's home stadium. (Image: Matej Divizna)

Rangers' Euro conquerors Jablonec had to get a special exemption from UEFA to host their glamour Conference League match against Brighton because their tiny ground doesn't meet requirements.

The Ibrox side were stunned after the Czech minnows eliminated them on penalties last week after 1-0 home wins in both legs.

Jablonec then landed a glamour home tie against English Premier League high-fliers Brighton in October and they will also face Lugano and Iberia Tbilisi at their modest 5,500-capacity Stadion Strelnice.


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But the stadium doesn't meet UEFA requirements for league phases of European competition, only preliminary rounds.

UEFA rules state that all grounds must have a minimum capacity of 8,000 seats, a secure flat area around the stadium for broadcasting trucks and permanent toilet facilities.

But the Czech club failed in all of those requirements, including even a lack of toilet facilities because they only have toilet portacabins in their away section.

However, UEFA granted them special dispensation to hold their home games there in what will be one of the smallest grounds ever to host the latter stages of recent European competitions.

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