A Scottish Sun report has claimed that SFA compliance officer, Clare Whyte, could yet file a notice of complaint against Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos for his gesture following his red card against Celtic last weekend.
The Gers talisman is already set to sit out three matches through suspension following the winter break, as his Parkhead dismissal was his second of the season.
Steven Gerrard will be without Morelos for the Scottish Cup clash against Stranraer and the Premiership fixtures at home to St Mirren and away to Hearts.
However, this latest report has suggested his absence could be extended into February should the SFA deem his gesture worthy of further punishment.
Rangers have already come out in defence of their star man, assuring those who have criticised the player, that his gesture is a common way to assert that things are ‘finished’ in Colombia, rather than something more sinister [Rangers.co.uk].
Alex Rae has also defended El Bufalo on Twitter, amid criticism from Chris Sutton, who failed to adequately address abuse hurled in the player’s direction by Celtic supporters.
Verdict
You would think that if any further action were to be taken against Morelos, there would have been concrete news about a hearing by now. Especially, as Celtic’s Ryan Christie has already been cited [Sky Sports].
Back in 2017, the SFA made a rule change which ensured players wouldn’t face retrospective punishment unless for ‘violent conduct, serious foul play or spitting missed by the match officials’ [Scotsman], so it would appear likely that this is more scaremongering than anything else.
The two-game league suspension in itself seems harsh given that the Gers star was dismissed for two bookable offences, but he should return to the Gers lineup no later than 29 January for the Premiership clash against Ross County.