RANGERS fans are set to be hammered with a three-match Euro ban for singing sectarian songs.
Last night Ibrox chiefs were also bracing themselves for a "heavy" fine which could be as much as s100,000.
And there are now also fears that UEFA's determination to clamp down on Rangers' bigots could further delay, if not derail entirely, Craig Whyte's s25 million buy-out.
UEFA have told Rangers to expect the penalties because of sectarian songs and chants which the governing body claim were belted out during the Europa League match against PSV in Eindhoven on March 10.
The Ibrox club have until next Thursday to submit their defence - the hearing will be held in Nyon two weeks later - if they are to have any chance of avoiding a FOURTH European sanction.
But a UEFA source, who confirmed Gers had been pulled up again, also said it was unlikely the club could escape punishment.
Rangers only discovered they were in trouble yesterday and when contacted by Record Sport, beleaguered chief executive Martin Bain spoke of his "utter dismay".
But he stressed the Ibrox club would be defending their position "vigorously".
Rangers will try once again to convince UEFA they have done all they can to rid themselves of the bigots but it is almost certain all their fans will be banned from the next three away matches in Europe.
The club were fined s13,000 for discriminatory chanting and s9,000 for an attack on Villarreal's team bus in 2006.
UEFA also demanded they pay s8,280 after a UEFA Cup tie against Osasuna in March 2007 with the Spanish club receiving a s31,000 fine because of poor organisation.
Then, in November 2009, the club were fined s18,000 after a Champions League match against Unirea Urziceni in Romania. Again the home side were also fined (s7,200) for poor organisation.
A UEFA spokesman said last night: "For this kind of behaviour and the number of offences which is repeated the fine could be heavy - as much as 150,000 Swiss francs."
Bain said: "We are utterly dismayed to be informed by UEFA that they are to take disciplinary action. We will defend the club's position vigorously.
"UEFA have made clear in any previous disciplinary hearings that sanctions have been mitigated by the extensive work the club does to tackle sectarianism.
"We are not saying there is not a problem but we are saying that for many years we have made strenuous attempts to address it. We do, however, believe it is absurd to think only Rangers supporters sing offensive or sectarian songs. We are left to conclude there is a disproportionate focus on us.
"It has also become clear there are people who have been determined to undermine our club at any cost and have constantly lobbied for action against Rangers."
Rangers can point to their Euro record this season which will show five trips with no arrests for sectarian or discriminatory behaviour. They will also point out that they've been given a clean bill of health all season from delegates and security officers who have been specifically briefed by UEFA to look out for sectarian singing.
It is also believed they have letters from Greater Manchester Police and the British Vice Consul in Valencia praising behaviour.
The club will also question UEFA over whether or not they act on reports submitted by people other than official delegates and police but stress they won't be attempting to say they aren't tracked around Europe by morons.
This deranged and also dangerous element have refused to believe UEFA were prepared to take more serious action but they are now about to experience that reality.
The man trying to buy Rangers from David Murray will also have been given a reality check. Last week Whyte discovered there was an outstanding tax bill of almost s3m and now he finds the club he wants to own is in big bother with UEFA.
Should Whyte say, "no thanks" the consequences for Rangers could be much more serious than anything UEFA might throw at them.
Martin Bain feels Rangers have been unfairly singled out