RANGERS PAIR PARTIED OUT
they accept the suspensions for the duo who attended a house party. They will miss a key run of league and cup matches and won’t return until after Christmas.
Stopper Edmundson, 23, and winger Jones, 26, were suspended by Rangers two weeks ago and hit with police fixed penalties after attending a private bash with revellers from outside their household just hours after a 1-0 win over Kilmarnock.
Rangers will not appeal the ban and have insisted it is a penalty “which has demonstrated the seriousness with which Covid protocol breaches will be dealt with”.
The Ibrox club has already hit the pair with a fine of several weeks’ wages, and included their apologies in a club statement.
Edmundson said: “I apologise unreservedly to the Rangers fans for my actions. I have assured the manager, club and my team-mates that these actions won’t be repeated, and I have learned from my mistake.”
Jones added: “I acknowledge that my actions have fallen well short of the standard expected at Rangers FC.
“I am sorry to the fans, the club and my team-mates for causing this situation. It won’t happen again.”
An unequivocal club statement read: “Rangers accepts the outcome of the SFA judicial panel which has demonstrated the seriousness with which Covid protocol breaches will be dealt with. This penalty is a reminder to all of the expectations upon football.
“Football is in a privileged position and we recognise the responsibility that we all must uphold within the national sport.
“The outcome of today’s hearing brings the standard and expectations set by the SFA into sharp focus.”
Jones missed out on Northern Ireland’s squad for the Euro 2020 play-off crunch against Slovakia as a result.
A furious Steven Gerrard said at the time the pair faced a “rebuilding process” after they “let themselves down, their families, and badly let their team-mates and supporters of the club down”.
The boss added: “They are full of regret and I think they will regret it for quite some time.”
both players were hit with SFA charges on November 4 for breaching coronavirus protocols and acting against the interests of the sport.
And a Hampden disciplinary tribunal update last night confirmed the pair would each serve a seven-game suspension with immediate effect.
The Ibrox club’s next seven domestic fixtures include a home clash with Aberdeen this Sunday, trips to face Dundee United and St Johnstone, a betfred Cup clash with Falkirk and home league games against Ross County, Motherwell and Hibs.
Should Rangers beat Falkirk and advance to the betfred Cup quarterfinals in mid-December then winger Jones and defender Edmundson – both of whom have been on the fringes of the first team squad this season – will next be available to face Hibs on boxing Day.
Otherwise it will be St Mirren in Paisley on December 30.