Boston has controversially begun a campaign to halt a unique Old Firm derby in the city after claims that Rangers fans could run riot. The Boston Globe is leading the bid to have the game at Fenway Park called off, reports the Scottish Sun.
In a stinging editorial, it falsely claims "tensions between Celtic and Rangers fans" caused the Ibrox Disaster in 1971.
The Boston Globe wrote: "While it is recognised that not all Rangers fans involve themselves in such activity, one can't help wonder how the city of Boston will fare after a Fenway game, should the Rangers faithful feel the need to express themselves, as they did in Manchester in 2008.
"Following their team's defeat in the UEFA Cup Final, the blue-clad fans left parts of Manchester in a shambles and forced the local constabulary to don riot gear to restore order.
"But Rangers have a long history of violence on their travels, dating back decades.
"Who can forget their pitch invasion in Barcelona in 1972, which earned the club a one-year ban from European competition? The same fans brought their particular brand of fanaticism to Romania last year, clashing with police who were forced to use tear gas.
"With Spanish police reporting Rangers violence in 2006 (Villarreal) and 2007 (Barcelona), the list goes on and on.
"Most notably, disaster struck at Rangers' Ibrox Stadium in 1971 following a crush-barrier failure. It is widely accepted that the tensions between Celtic and Rangers fans played a major part in the 66 deaths.
"Celtic, by comparison, can be charged with, well, not much at all. If their arch-rivals have dragged the name of Glasgow through the mud, it must be said that Celtic fans have done their best to restore the good name."
A Rangers spokesman said: "Rangers fans can be assured the reference in this article to the Ibrox Disaster, in particular, which is both inaccurate and offensive, will be taken up with the newspaper."
Stephen Smith, of the Rangers Supporters' Trust, said: "The remarks about 1971 are disgusting and entirely inaccurate."
