Rangers have accused the Scottish Football Association of shirking its responsibility to protect players following a decision not to impose sanctions over disorder at the Scottish Cup final.

An independent judicial panel ruled on Wednesday that there was no provision to punish either Rangers or Hibernian for the scenes which followed May's match.

The Scottish FA charges related to damage to Hampden Park by both clubs' supporters, and did not seek sanctions for alleged assaults on Rangers players.

With the matter now considered closed by the governing body, Rangers say they will seek assurances to ensure their players will be safe to participate in this season's competition.

"Following yesterday's Judicial Panel decision, Rangers will be demanding urgent clarification from the Scottish FA over how they intend ensuring the safety of players and officials participating in this season's Scottish Cup," a statement read.

"The club has been left shocked by the Scottish FA's approach to this vital safety issue and by the decision not to seek sanctions in respect of the assaults by Hibernian supporters on Rangers players and officials at the end of the cup final last May.

"The Scottish FA must have a basic duty of care to ensure the safety of players and officials in matches played in their competitions and at Hampden.

"Rangers were surprised and disappointed by the nature of the charges brought by the association believing them fundamentally flawed from the outset and cannot understand why the focus seemed to be on compensating the association for damage to Hampden Stadium and items such as advertising hoardings and LED panels rather than ensuring the safety of players and officials.

"Rangers are concerned that adopting this approach will not dissuade supporters of other clubs from coming onto the field of play and/or assaulting players and officials.

"The continued failure to deal properly and promptly with issues surrounding the cup final is alarming and a stain on Scottish football. The Scottish FA must confront and learn from the issues that arose. Rangers owe it to our players and supporters to ensure that the Scottish FA's duty of care is upheld and that those with authority in Scottish football create a safe environment for the game.

"It should be understood Rangers will not tolerate any of their employees being attacked with impunity."

The ruling by the judicial panel, an independent committee of three people who take on disciplinary cases brought by the governing body, effectively outlined that the failure of clubs to adopt strict liability rules, which automatically render them punishable for any supporter misconduct, is at the root of the inability of the Scottish FA to impose sanctions.

The governing body can not effect stronger rules on its own. Instead, it must seek and gain approval of all member clubs. An attempt by the Scottish FA to bring in strict liability in recent years was overwhelmingly voted down by the clubs.

Rangers have also raised concerns over a perceived conflict of interest with Hibernian chairman Rod Petrie, who is in line to become the president of the Scottish FA in the future.

Hibs also decided to engage the lawyer of the Scottish Professional Football League, Rod McKenzie of Harper Macleod LLP, further enraging the Ibrox club.

Their statement continued: "Rangers were also astonished by the fact Hibernian, whose Chairman Rod Petrie is vice-president of the Scottish FA, were permitted to engage the SPFL's solicitor to fight the charges being brought by the SFA.

"Using the legal adviser to one of Scottish Football's two governing bodies to defend charges brought by the other is worrying enough for those concerned with the good governance and integrity of Scottish Football, but it is even more disturbing when the party at the centre of the conflict also has a foot in both camps and is scheduled to become the SFA's president.

"Rangers are also extremely disappointed at Mr Petrie's continued failure to issue an apology in respect of the assaults on our players and officials."