UEFA are nothing if not consistent in finding ways to unite football fans in disdain over their decision-making processes.

However, on the occasion of Rangers vs Napoli this week, the governing body was facing a perfect storm of admittedly difficult issues.

The process for any Champions League match sees Police Scotland present UEFA with detail of their resource to manage the game safely. And it was immediately obvious there would be a problem in trying to make the fixture work in tandem with the complex undertaking of ensuring security for the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II.

Talks have been continuing for days over a plan of action with various reports circulating about the options in play, including switching the fixtures around, but the Rangers Review understands this was never a realistic option. The game has now been moved by 24 hours to Wednesday night with Napoli fans no longer allowed to be present. 

One thing's for sure, Tuesday was always going to be an extremely difficult date to keep given the way events have unfolded. King Charles and the Queen Consort will arrive in Scotland on Monday amid a series of events to mark his mother's passing and will remain overnight. The King then departs for Belfast on Tuesday while the Queen's coffin will be moved from Edinburgh to RAF Northolt at 6pm. It doesn't take an expert in the affairs of state to see why this will require significant additional police presence to ensure protection for the key public figures involved.

And you sense Police Scotland might not fancy dealing with a tasty group of away fans while such epoch-defining events are going on elsewhere. 

Napoli's away fans, rightly or wrongly, are in the highest risk category. You might suggest that if, for argument's sake, an RB Leipzig were in town there might have been an accommodation - but in this case, it was always a non-starter. 

READ MORE: UEFA faced Rangers vs Napoli perfect storm but 'sporting integrity' case doesn't wash

Rangers and Napoli's input in all of this is minimal. For Champions League match days, the governing body of European football essentially takes over the running of the stadium. So this is very much a decision driven by UEFA on the back of resources that have been made available from Police Scotland. 

The single positive is that an extra 4000 Rangers fans will now be able to attend the Ibrox fixture as the need for segregation has been negated - but that will mean little to away fans already booked for Campania. 

The exciting prospect of attending the Stadio Diego Maradona in Naples has been denied as fans have been told there will also be no away section in Italy on the grounds of "sporting integrity". It's a hugely frustrating turn of events and none of the extenuating facts of this situation will temper the intense frustration that will be felt by fans whose commitment to travel and accommodation will now hit leave them with an impossible decision. 

UEFA has urged fans not to travel to either game. Easy for them to say - those who follow this advice will be left with significant bills with little to show for them. Many will still want to head towards a little sun, Peroni and the most dramatic coastline in Europe.

I'd strongly advise anyone who is planning still to go to jump on the hour-long train up the coast to Sorrento where you can watch the game and have a few beers in a very safe environment.

Fundamentally, UEFA has put abstract notions of sporting integrity ahead of those who are the lifeblood of the game, the paying fan. While Napoli were undoubtedly faced with a disadvantage because of the situation that has developed here in Scotland, you'd wonder if even they would demand the pain be spread further. Perhaps that position's naive. It will be interesting to find out in the coming days.

Regardless, hundreds of ordinary supporters will now pay for that decision and at a time when money spent on non-essentials really counts for something, it feels so very, very unfair.