RANGERS have vowed to ‘vigorously defend’ Jon Flanagan at a Scottish FA hearing and called for ‘full transparency’ over the disciplinary process as they question why Celtic defender Jozo Simunovic has escaped punishment for an alleged elbow on Jermain Defoe.
Flanagan faces a two-match ban after being cited by Compliance Officer Clare Whyte for an incident in the Light Blues’ Old Firm win on Sunday.
Referee Kevin Clancy booked the full-back for catching captain Scott Brown in the face as Celtic prepared to take a corner in the second half of the derby clash and both Brown and boss Neil Lennon queried why Flanagan wasn’t sent off.
But the 26-year-old now faces the prospect of a two-match suspension after being cited by Whyte and he will face a tribunal hearing on Thursday to determine whether he misses Rangers’ final Premiership match of the campaign with Kilmarnock this weekend and the first game that Steven Gerrard’s side play next term.
Keeper Allan McGregor is already ruled out of both outings after serving the first game of a three-match ban against Celtic following his red card in the victory over Hibernian at Ibrox.
Rangers will challenge the charge against Flanagan and have also once again raised concerns over the process that sees games being ‘re-refereed’ as incidents that are highlighted in television coverage come under the microscope from Compliance Officer Whyte.
The Light Blues have questioned why Simunovic wasn’t penalised by referee Clancy for lashing out at Defoe in the first half as the Englishman was struck in the face by an elbow from the Hoops defender.
A club spokesperson said: “Once again, there seems intent to change the decision of a Referee in a match involving Rangers. There seems to be a steady erosion of respect for Scotland’s Referees and the authority they are meant to enjoy under Rule 5 of the Laws of the Game.
“The decisions of Referees regarding facts connected with play are meant to be final but Referees are now routinely invited to change their decisions after a game has finished.
“It is particularly shocking that another Rangers player has been singled out for retrospective action and issued with a notice of complaint while Jozo Simunovic, the Celtic player who used an elbow to fell Jermain Defoe, has escaped any kind of censure.
“Why did one incident escape punishment while the other is now deemed worthy of a red card? We cannot understand how these two incidents could be studied yet only one be considered worthy of punishment.
“It seems as if Rangers’ players are being held to a different code of conduct from players at other clubs. We shall vigorously defend Mr Flanagan and have also asked for full transparency on what matters are brought forward for retrospective action. Are those decisions being made even-handedly?”
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