Europa League boost for Gers as Ze is hit with ban
Royal Antwerp have been left stunned after UEFA told them controversial striker, Lamkel Ze, is banned for the first leg of their Europa League tie against Rangers because of a red card 18 months ago.
Rangers face the Belgian side in their Last 32 clash later on February 18, with the return leg at Ibrox seven days later.
Both clubs submitted their player list for the rest of the competition last week.
Antwerp included Cameroon international
Ze, who is back in the squad after previously not being included in their Europa League games so far this season after being out of the picture.
He unleashed a remarkable show of anger last month when he was so angry at being refused a transfer to Panathinaikos, he turned up at the club’s training ground wearing the shirt of rivals, Anderlecht.
That led to him being barred from the club.
Later, a group of Antwerp Ultras twice confronted him when the players were at training, to ‘advise’ him about his future conduct.
And Ze’s team-mates had to be talked out of going on strike when new manager, Frankie Vercauteren (left), put him back into the squad.
Ze scored the winning goal for Antwerp on his first game back, and has now been included in the squad to face Rangers.
But he has still to serve a one-game suspension after being sent off in a 4-1 home Europa League defeat to AZ Alkmaar in August, 2019.
So he won’t be available for the first leg against Rangers in the Bosuilstadion a week on Thursday.