Rangers bemused as SFA charge Gerrard over comments on Edwards challenge
Rangers say they are “bemused” after manager Steven G err a rd was served with a notice of complaint over comments made in the wake of Dundee United defender Ryan Edwards’ challenge on Alfredo Morelos.
The Colombian had to be stretchered off with a nasty gash after being caught by the Tannadice defender’s thighhigh tackle during Gers’ 4- 0 Ibrox win earlier this month.
Edwards was not punishment retrospectively for the incident after referee Kevin Clancy chose to take no action.
Gerrard also refused to single out Edwards for criticism but did question whether Morelos would have got off so lightly had he been the culprit.
Speaking after the match, Gerrard said: “I’d be very interested to see what the decision would have been from the officials had the shoe been on the other foot and it was Alfredo who had made that tackle.”
Those words have now earned the former Liverpool skipper a Scottish Football Association disciplinary charge.
Gerrard is accused of breaching rule 72 which covers comments which “indicate bias or incompetence” on the part of match officials.
But the Ibrox club hit back in a stinging statement. It said: “Rangers are bemused that a notice of complaint has been raised against Steven Gerrard, for comments relating to the challenge which caused injury to Alfredo Morelos.
“This is a bizarre charge which we will robustly contest at the scheduled hearing.
“As is often the case, Steven Gerrard was asked for his view on a flashpoint in the match, with leading questions relating to the challenge that caused the injury and whether it should have been deemed a red card. On several occasions, he refused to do so.
“Given the wide range of incidents in Scottish football so far this season, we are perplexed that this issue has been raised and cited for complaint.”