Scottish FA asked to retrospectively ban Djeidi Gassama after Rangers draw v Dundee
Rangers scored a last-minute equaliser but still dropped points at home as they drew 1-1 with Dundee on Saturday.
The Light Blues fell behind when Ryan Astley scored for Dundee early in the second half.
Rangers’ chances of launching a fightback were then harmed as Nassr Djiga was sent off.
But Djeidi Gassama was brought down for a penalty in stoppage time and James Tavernier dispatched it to steal a point.
However, not everyone was impressed with the manner in which Rangers got their equalising goal.
Ibrox News presents the exclusive opinion of former Premier League and FIFA-listed referee Keith Hackett.
Keith Hackett calls for Djeidi Gassama ban after penalty incident against Dundee
Dundee players were devastated at conceding a stoppage-time penalty in this manner, and there were lengthy protests after it was given.
Keith Hackett, a former FIFA official, agrees that the penalty shouldn’t have been given at Ibrox – and he was not happy with the manner in which Gassama went to ground.
Speaking exclusively to Ibrox News, Hackett called for the Scottish FA to be allowed to retrospectively ban players for simulation.
He said: “The forward has manufactured contact and gone to ground to clearly deceive the match officials.
“These incidents are not easy to detect by the match referee. The referee should have been sent to the screen for him to take a closer look at what happened.
“It’s a lottery at the moment, with players good at acts of simulation. The authorities need to bring in retrospective action.”
Questions will still be asked of Russell Martin despite late equaliser
On one hand, Russell Martin will be relieved that his side grabbed an equaliser to send the Rangers fans home with something to cheer about. It’s a point that they didn’t look getting until the dying moments of the game.
Of course, Martin will still be furious with his team for dropping more points, and likely forcing him to answer more difficult questions about their start to the season.
| Rangers | Dundee | |
| Goals | 1 | 1 |
| Shots on goal | 20 | 7 |
| Possession | 76 | 24 |
Rangers didn’t play well for large periods of this match. Perhaps they deserve some credit for fighting back with 10 men to claim a draw, but Martin will know that’s not how it works in Scotland. The Old Firm are expected to win games like these at a canter.
The performances of Cyriel Dessers, Oliver Antman and other Rangers stars will be a cause for concern.
Gassama has enjoyed a promising start to his Rangers career and was perhaps the best player for the home side today, but his late contribution will have people talking for all the wrong reasons.
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