Uefa explains case to Rangers

Rangers have been officially informed of the reasons behind the appeal against the Uefa decision to clear the club of a charge of discriminatory chanting by supporters.

The Ibrox side was charged in the wake of the Champions' League last-16 tie with Villarreal. But Uefa delegate Gerhard Kapl lodged an appeal against the not-guilty verdict. Now the European governing body has started to outline the reasons for the appeal against the ruling.

Uefa has explained the reasons in detailed documents. Rangers will have six days, upon receipt of the last document, to express their legal point of view.

The European governing body stressed it will not make the information public but no date has yet been set for the hearing by the Uefa disciplinary committee. A Uefa spokesman said: "Once they have received all the documents, they have six days to react to the statement."

The Scottish Premier League was also remaining tight-lipped on the subject of sectarian singing during the Old Firm derby at Celtic Park on Sunday. An SPL spokesman said: "Any issue which is reported will be dealt with and outlined to the clubs in question."

The Scotland manager Walter Smith is expected to blood a number of newcomers when he announces his squad for the Kirin Cup in Japan tomorrow. The Scottish team will take on Bulgaria on 11 May before facing Japan 48 hours later.

Smith is unable to call on his Hearts regulars with the goalkeeper Craig Gordon, the defenders Steven Pressley and Andy Webster and the midfielder Paul Hartley all hoping to play in the Scottish Cup final against Gretna at Hampden Park.