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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
National
Abbi Garton-Crosbie

Rangers launch investigation after flag with Nazi SS hate symbol seen in Ibrox crowd

RANGERS have launched an investigation after a flag featuring a Nazi SS symbol was spotted at a recent Ibrox match.

The hate symbol was hung over a railing at the team’s home stadium on Saturday during the 3-1 defeat against Aberdeen.

Supporters and social media users reacted in fury at the banner when images of the flag emerged online, with many calling for the fans involved to be banned.

The incident occurred as the club welcomed 150 serving members of the Army, RAF and Royal Navy to the stadium as part of its Armed Forces Day.

A photograph shared on X/Twitter showed a blue flag with white writing and the phrase: "Rangers Active Unit. 936. The Firm.”

In the middle of the flag is the hate symbol of a skull and crossbones, known as the Totenkopf, or Death’s Head.

During the war, the symbol was used by SS soldiers, particularly those who guarded concentration camps and committed a number of atrocities, some of the worst during the war.

The National: The flag was hung from a balcony during a match against Aberdeen

It also became the symbol of the 3rd SS 'Totenkopf' Panzer Division, responsible for several war crimes.

This included the 1940 Le Paradis Massacre, where 97 British soldiers from the Royal Norfolk Regiment were murdered after they surrendered.

After World War 2, neo-Nazis and other white supremacists adopted the hate symbol due to its importance to the SS.

The image of the flag, shared by X/Twitter user S4NDY_1903, has been viewed 1.5 million times in less than 24 hours.

“Horrible nazi c***s. Supposed to be British,” they wrote.

Rangers have now condemned the flag after a public backlash. The incident occurred during the club’s Armed Forces day, where they pay tribute to the British Army.

“Clearly, this flag is absolutely unacceptable and the club condemns the displaying of it within our stadium in the strongest possible terms,” a Rangers spokesperson told the Scottish Sun.

"The club can confirm an investigation is now underway."

Social media users condemned the flag following the match.

“That skull emblem is for the 3rd SS Panzer division as they celebrated their armed forces, couldn’t make this up,” one user said.

"These guys need to be identified and banned,” one added.

Another added: “Disgusting.”

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