Rangers and Spartak Moscow are both set to be hammered by UEFA for kicking off their match two minutes late.
In what is coming across as one of the most pettiest UEFA charges possible, both clubs have been cited by the governing body.
Rangers lost 4-3 in Moscow last Thursday night. A calamity of defensive errors from both sides led to an incredible game for watching supporters. That game, however, appears to have started just a small period later than it should’ve done.
TV cameras showed Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos turning up to proceedings in the tunnel a couple of minutes late. The referee was waiting to take the teams out on to the pitch when the Colombian showed up.
The disciplinary case is set to be heard on December 13th. That same night, Rangers will be facing Rapid Vienna in Austria in what is shaping up to be a huge clash.
The penultimate set of fixtures in the group stages will see Rangers host Villarreal at Ibrox. The group is perfectly poised, with all sides still in the hunt to nab a qualification spot.
Timing confusion
It’s a rare charge for UEFA to dish out. The latest example was when Manchester United and Valencia kicked-off late back in October in their Champions League clash.
The penalty for United was just over a £13,000 fine. Therefore, any repercussions from this hit isn’t going to be damaging at all to the Rangers coffers.
In addition to the charges, Spartak have also been hit with a further three. Their supporters apparently set off fireworks and threw missiles during the match. This is a strong no-go from UEFA. They have also been punished for blocked stairways in the stadium. All of this could add up to a hefty penalty for the Russians.
For Rangers, however, it’s likely to be nothing more than a small slap on the wrist. Morelos was the last one in the tunnel, but you have to imagine the referee should’ve warned the players about coming out on time.
Regardless, it’s a rare and fairly harmless charge. There’s nothing for Rangers supporters to be concerned with outside of what will surely be a minimal fine.