Rangers handed referee for Sturm Graz clash who was involved in incident that halted entire league

Rangers will travel to Austria to face Sturm Graz in their second Europa League game as they look for their first win.

Russell Martin's side were beaten by Genk at Ibrox in their first Europa League match, and he continues to face pressure after a woeful start.

Sturm Graz have won five of their first seven league matches, and will be a tough opponent for Rangers as they aim to get points on the board.

Martin has moaned about refereeing decisions on several occasions in the Scottish Premiership, and they have now been handed a controversial official in Europe.

Halil Umut Meler to referee Sturm Graz vs Rangers

Turkish referee Halil Umut Meler will be the referee as Martin aims to secure his first Europa League victory at Rangers, and he may end up bemoaning the officials again.

• Meler has refereed in Europe, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, although his time in the latter came to an end last year in controversial circumstances.
• Meler no longer referees in Saudi Arabia, with the Pro League dropping him completely after this game.

"Halil Umut Meler had a huge impact on the match. The red card he showed us was wrong, as were several other decisions," Pereira stated after the game.

"He completely changed the flow of the game. I congratulate him for his performance in altering the result. I prefer Saudi referees for our matches."

• Read more: Pierre Ekwah and Rangers saga could get messy as details emerge on ‘major legal battle’

Rangers referee also involved in violent altercation

Meler was the victim of a violent assault while refereeing in Turkey in December 2023, which saw the Turkish League suspended for a week.

Ankaragucu President Faruk Koca stormed the pitch and assaulted the referee after a 1-1 draw with Rizespor, and Meler was taken to hospital.

Martin and Rangers have fallen foul to several frustrating refereeing decisions this season, and they will hope that their clash with Sturm Graz is not decided in this way.

Few would have little sympathy with Martin if he did call out Meler after the game, as many are sick of the Rangers manager deflecting blame from his own tactics by criticising the referees.

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