Collum confirms Candeias got second yellow for his ‘gestures’ to Ferdinand

L SFA reveals ref’s explanation as it gives reason for upholding Rangers star’s ban

Referee Willie Collum has confirmed Rangers winger Daniel Candeias was sent off against St Mirren for making “gestures” to Buddies defender Anton Ferdinand.

The Ibrox club were left furious by the official’s decision to show the Portuguese a second yellow card following a spat with the former West Ham centre-back during their 2-0 win in Paisley.

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard insisted his player had done nothing wrong and branded the dismissal “embarrassing”. His club even tried unsuccessfully to have the red card overturned on the grounds of mistaken identity.

The Scottish Football Association has now revealed the reason for the failed appeal against the decision – Collum decided Candeias had to go after spotting the 30-year-old goad his Saints rival.

The flashpoint came seconds from full-time as Rangers celebrated Alfredo Morelos’ injury-time strike.

Replays show Candeias – who had already picked up a booking for rushing towards the travelling support after scoring Rangers’ opening goal – running past Ferdinand and appearing to blow kisses at the defender.

After a brief conversation with Saints keeper Craig Samson, the Rangers wideman was then approached by Ferdinand, who placed Candeias in a headlock before aiming a jab at his chin. Collum, pictured, immediately flashed yellow at both players – and then a red at Candeias.

In the written reasoning posted on the SFA website, Hampden chiefs say: “The referee provided a statement confirming the nature of the offence in respect of which the player was cautioned for a second time. He confirmed that he issued the caution to the player as at the time he believed that the player had been involved in two incidents, making gestures towards the opponent, the St Mirren No 35, after the scoring of a goal and becoming further involved with the opponent as he made his way upfield after celebrating.

“The tribunal viewed the video footage and carefully considered the claimant’s written submission and the written statement of the player.

“Having done so, the tribunal found that the referee correctly identified the player as being the player involved in the incidents with the St Mirren No 35. The video footage showed this.

“The claimant, in their written submission, had accepted that there had been contact between the payer and the St Mirren No 35. The referee cautioned both players.

“Accordingly the tribunal found, on a balance of probabilities, that there had been no error on the part of the referee and no mistaken identity with regard to the players involved in the incidents and specifically in relation to the player for whom the claimant had appealed.

“Therefore the determination was that the claim be dismissed and that the caution and dismissal, and mandatory sanction, be reimposed.”