UEFA have finally handed out the suspensions for Rangers infamous last 16 second-leg clash with Slavia Prague, the fallout from which has yet to be fully resolved.
Ondrej Kudela has been given the minimum 10-game ban for racist abuse but the bad news is that Glen Kamara has been suspended for three games and Kemar Roofe for four for his red card tackle.
Rangers are appealing the suspensions, and, with the Champions League qualifiers being four games, the last thing Steven Gerrard would want is to be without two of his key players.
Roofe’s ban was for “dangerously assaulting another player” and when you consider that he had his eyes on the ball the whole time, a classification of “reckless” is surely more appropriate?
Gers fans took to Twitter in reaction to the news, surprised at the length, considering the lack of intent.
Can perhaps accept a ban but not the wording which suggests intent. It was a horrible accident. But you can’t assault someone accidentally. It was certainly reckless & dangerous but not intentional. They should be saying it’s for ‘reckless endangerment’ not ‘assault’ imo. 🤷🏼♂️
— M’Bo55a Ritchie (@BossaRitchie) April 14, 2021
Two match ban for the same challenge 🤐🤐 pic.twitter.com/TibsLuR1UZ
— Duncan (@Doughnuts_) April 14, 2021
What was the difference in this and the Mane one on Ederson?
— Billy Gilmour Enthusiast (@CFC_ENZO) April 14, 2021
Mental how bad goalkeeping can get a guy sent off and banned for 4 games 😂
— Jordi (@TMB_Jordi) April 14, 2021
Fair but roofe could do nothing he can’t ge out the way of the keeper so there is no intent
— 🇬🇧 david james 🏴 (@sea_ibrox) April 14, 2021
Uefa clearly need help in the definition of assault
— Maxine Smetherhem (@msmetherhem) April 14, 2021
UEFA have never been consistent with their punishments and leave themselves wide open when it comes to the appeals process, hopefully Rangers will be successful because four games for an accidental collision is excessive, regardless of the injury sustained by the player.