Rangers to appeal Bruno Alves' two-match suspension
Tuesday 24 October 2017 17:50, UK
Rangers defender Bruno Alves faces a two-game ban for an alleged swipe at Motherwell forward Louis Moult on Sunday.
The Glasgow club, however, will be appealing the decision, which they have claimed is "devoid of credibility and balance".
Portugal international Alves appeared to lash out with both feet as he and Moult tangled towards the end of Sunday's Betfred Cup semi-final at Hampden, which Motherwell won 2-0.
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While Moult was booked after a further disagreement with Eduardo Herrera of Rangers, Alves was not even spoken to by referee Steven McLean.
Scottish Football Association compliance officer Tony McGlennan has now decided to issue Alves with a notice of complaint after reviewing footage of the incident.
However, Rangers will contest the verdict and a fast-track appeal hearing has been pencilled in for Thursday.
A club spokesperson said: "Rangers are shocked by this decision.
"In the minds of all fair-minded followers of football it will be seen as devoid of credibility and balance.
"There were many aspects of the match which cause concern, both for player safety and the way in which we want to encourage players to play the game.
"We have several players injured after the game - one seriously. Yet this decision has singled out only one player - a Rangers player - for punishment. We find this inexplicable.
"Are we being asked to believe just one player was guilty of violent conduct in Sunday's game? If that is the case, then it is clear Rangers are being assessed to a different standard from others in the Scottish game.
"We believe the current system for referring matters to disciplinary tribunals requires radical overhaul.
"It is too easy for those with agendas to pick over and highlight minor incidents in a game, whilst ignoring the reality of what took place during the game as a whole.
"Rangers will be declining the offer of a two-match suspension."
