Keith Hackett: UEFA to act on ‘amazing’ Rangers vs Braga controversy, Ally McCoist called it ‘ridiculous’
Rangers could watch on as UEFA take action against Braga.
Braga travelled to face Rangers and shared the points at Ibrox after a Gabri Martinez equaliser made it 1-1 with 20 minutes to go.
Jack Butland kept Rangers in the game against Braga, but couldn’t stop the away side from netting to bag a point in the Europa League.
James Tavernier did score a penalty to open the scoring just minutes after Ally McCoist felt Rangers should have had a spot kick previously in Govan, before the Gers were pegged back.
That controversy was soon overtaken when Rodrigo Zalazar was sent off for a moment of madness against Danny Rohl’s men.
UEFA to action ban after Rodrigo Zalazar red card vs Rangers
Rangers welcomed Braga to Ibrox in a return to continental action, with the home side keen to finally get points on the board.
They did manage that, but will be frustrated that it was just one, rather than the three the Bears should have secured.
The Light Blues played against 10 men for half an hour after Zalazar was shown red by referee Allard Lindhout after an on-field review.
The Uruguay international moved his head towards Nico Raskin and was adjudged to have committed an act of violent conduct.
Former FIFA official Keith Hackett was in total agreement with the decision and has suggested that UEFA will now outline a ban for the winger.
Speaking exclusively to Ibrox News, Hackett said: “The actions of Rodrigo Zalazar left VAR and the referee with no option other than to issue a red card.
“You can not put your head in the face of your opponent and make a headbutt action without this being seen as an act of violent conduct.
“It’s amazing that a player, an experienced one, takes this course of action and lets down his team and the fans who have travelled.
“UEFA will act, and the player will get a three-match ban.“
Ally McCoist was baffled by Zalazar actions for Braga
The 26-year-old must have thought he had gotten away with his movement towards Raskin when he left the Belgium international on the floor.
The Rangers midfielder was left holding his face, sparking VAR to give Lindhout a decision to make at the pitchside monitor.
As McCoist watched on, he became quickly more frustrated by the actions of Zalazar while speaking live via TNT Sports on 27 November.
He said: “He certainly moves his head forward. I’m not sure there’s a lot of contact, but it’s stupidity, bordering on gross stupidity.
“It’s silly, very silly. It’s absolutely ridiculous, it really is. He obviously just catches his nose on the way down. It looks terrible; he’s got absolutely no complaints. It’s gross stupidity.“
The Ibrox legend is totally spot on, and it’s totally baffling why the Braga star would ever try something like that, especially in such a needless fashion.
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