SFA will take no action against striker Morelos
RANGERS forward Alfredo Morelos has escaped punishment despite a string of alleged misdemeanours in last Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Celtic at Ibrox. The 22-year-old Colombian international appeared to kick out at Parkhead skipper Scott Brown, stand on defender Anthony Ralston and flick out his hand at midfielder Ryan Christie’s groin. Morelos and his club had been anxiously waiting to hear if he would face any retrospective disciplinary action from the SFA. However, referee John Beaton has now indicated that he witnessed all three incidents before deciding to take no action against the striker. The compliance officer can only consider raising a fast track notice of complaint for an incident which was not seen by any of the match officials. It is good news for Steven Gerrard’s side and the former HJK Helsinki player, who only recently returned from a two-game domestic ban after he was sent off in the 1-0 defeat to Aberdeen at Ibrox on December 5. Morelos has received 13 yellow and three red cards this season, albeit one picked up at Pittodrie at the beginning of the season was later rescinded. Last night, former Celtic striker Chris Sutton tore into the SFA’s decision to take no action against the player. The media pundit wrote on Twitter: ‘Only in Scotland. This is shambolic. Kick and stamp and get let off. Buffoonery of the highest order from the SFA.’ Former Celtic striker John Hartson, who once infamously kicked his West Ham team-mate Eyal Berkovic in the head during a training session, also slammed the SFA decision. He said: ‘The inadequacy to let Morelos off with a blatant stamp on the back of an opponent is baffling... before you respond with Berkovic pictures I got fined and suspended for that incident. And it was 23 years ago.’ Earlier this week, retired English Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher told Sky Sports he felt there was no case to answer regarding the Brown and Christie incidents. But he was concerned with the way Morelos caught Ralston with his studs as he landed. ‘I watched the whole game and I think that looks worse than it is,’ Gallagher said of the clash with Brown. ‘I think this is borne out of frustration as well. He just gives him a little kick. I don’t think it’s one where he’s really booted him. I think it’s just... he’s let him know he’s there.’ Of the Ralston incident, however, he said: ‘This is one I can’t understand. I don’t think he has any need to come down with his right foot on him. That could be avoided.’