Rangers appeal McGregor ban
01 Mar 2007 - 13:27:03
Rangers have lodged an appeal after UEFA hit goalkeeper Allan McGregor with a two-match European ban.
The shot-stopper was dismissed during an incident in the Gers' 4-0 win over Hapoel Tel-Aviv and will miss the side's upcoming two-legged UEFA Cup clash with Osasuna.
McGregor had earlier accused Hapoel's Luciano de Bravo of cheating to get him sent off.
"After the third goal went in I was standing outside my box talking to Brahim (Hemdani) and then I noticed the ball lying on the ground and I simply picked it up, had a wee feel of it and then put it back on the ground," he stated.
"I then turned away, but I could hear footsteps behind me so I turned round and the Israeli player, who was only about six yards away, was trying to kick the ball at me.
"I ducked out of the road and then I stood my ground. Then he walked up to me and there was no contact and I did not move my head as if intending to head-butt him.
"He fell and lay on the ground as if he has been shot. It's shocking. It's just blatant cheating. You see it now and again and it's not nice to see."
Gers chief executive Martin Bain said of the incident: "On receiving notification of Allan's two-match ban our immediate reaction was to appeal."