Rae given five-match ban
Monday, August 16, 2004
Article summary
Rangers FC midfielder Alex Rae has been banned for five matches by the UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body.
Article body
Video evidence
The action has been based on video evidence from the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round tie against PFC CSKA Moskva in Moscow on 10 August. The tape showed that the 34-year-old Scottish international kicked the head of an opponent during the game at the Lokomotiv stadium.
Injury risk
UEFA regulations allow the use of video evidence to deal with offences that are not seen by the referee and assistant referees. The Control and Disciplinary Body took into account that the action could have resulted in serious injury to the CSKA player, Moldovan striker Serguei Dadu.
Appeal possible
Rae, who joined Rangers in the summer from English side Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, can appeal the decision by 24.00CET on Thursday and any appeal would be dealt with by the UEFA Appeals Body prior to the second leg scheduled for Wednesday 25 August. CSKA go into that game at Ibrox stadium in Glasgow with a 2-1 lead.
