United’s Edwards off hook for Morelos challenge
RYAN EDWARDS has dodged retrospective action over the challenge that led to Alfredo Morelos being stretchered off at Ibrox – after a panel of ex-referees failed to reach a consensus.
But his fellow Dundee United
defender Mark Connolly is facing an SFA charge for alleged breaches of coronavirus protocols.
Edwards escaped without a booking after the second-half incident on Saturday that left Gers striker Morelos with a gash above the knee.
SFA compliance officer Clare Whyte could have stepped in had ref Kevin Clancy and his officials not got a full look at the challenge or if they deemed it had endangered Morelos by excessive force.
It is understood Whyte referred the challenge to three former refs but they couldn’t reach the required unanimous decision that warranted further action.
Post-game Gers boss Steven Gerrard said: “I’d be very interested to see what the decision would have been from the officials if it was Alfredo who made that tackle.”
And ex-Ibrox midfielder Andy Halliday has called for referees to give Morelos more protection.
He told Record Rangers Podcast: “It looked ugly in real time and even uglier in the replay. The most alarming thing for me is you take it back three weeks to St Mirren against Ross County and Joe Shaughnessy gets sent off for a very similar tackle.
“Referees need to take into consideration Alfredo needs protection.
“But at the same time Alfredo has to grow and mature which, to be fair to him, we have seen. That’s something he will need to continue to improve.”
Meanwhile, Connolly will face an SFA hearing on October 1 after he was alleged to have refused to wear a mask in a taxi following a night out.