Maribor lodge protest over Carlos Bocanegra eligibility

[der Berliner 3,281]

Well, I was actually looking whether our "friends" from Scotzine have by now a fuly detailed report on the Hooped Horrors' horror show at the Timdome up, only to find the above topic glaring at me from all angles. Well, better you know "your enemy" so I checked about what the Scotzine Chief had to say and guess what ... (no need to give them clicks)

 

The defender had completed a move to Rangers from French side Saint-Etienne last Wednesday, as they beat the 11pm deadline to register one additional player for the two leg tie against the Slovenian side.

 

However the American did not have his UK work permit at the time of the game in Slovenia and Maribor have now contacted UEFA for clarification on whether his inclusion in the side breached UEFA regulations. Story of the Maribor protest was exclusively broken by Irish-based journalist Phil Mac Giolla Bhain.

(Scotzine article)

 

Was it him who wrote the "call-to-arms" on the Celtic boards to get this poor lot going too? The closeness between him (and Scotzine) and all things bad for Rangers are remarkable.

Edited August 23, 2011 by der Berliner

[Zappa 0]

An article published tonight by the Guardian (note the part I've put in bold) -

 

Maribor complain to Uefa over Carlos Bocanegra's appearance for Rangers

 

Ewan Murray

guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 23 August 2011 20.44 BST

 

Uefa will investigate a complaint from Maribor about the eligibility of Rangers' Carlos Bocanegra for the Europa League play-off first-leg last week. The American defender completed a transfer from St Etienne to Ibrox last Wednesday, the day before the Scottish club lost 2-1 in Slovenia. Bocanegra played in that game but did not appear in a Scottish Premier League match at Motherwell on Sunday.

 

His absence at Fir Park was because a work permit had not been granted so Maribor are questioning whether he was eligible to play in Europe. The permit has now been issued. "How can the player have the right to play in the European competition on the Thursday night but [not] have clearance to play for Rangers in a domestic match in Scotland three days later?" said a Maribor spokesman.

 

A Uefa representative said: "We can confirm that NK Maribor have raised a protest about the eligibility of the Rangers player Carlos Bocanegra for the Europa League qualifier on 18 August. Uefa's control and disciplinary body will deal with this protest in due course."

 

Uefa's first move will be to check the timing and validity of the Slovenian champions' complaint. This may end the affair rather promptly. Europa League rules state that "protests must reach the control and disciplinary body in writing, stating the reasons, within 24 hours of a match. This 24-hour time limit cannot be extended."

 

A verdict could therefore be delivered before the second leg, at Ibrox on Thursday night. Rangers took advice from lawyers and the Scottish Football Association before fielding Bocanegra in the game. All those parties believe Uefa's competition rules were adhered to and should be treated as separate from the UK border controls which prohibited the player's appearance at Fir Park.

 

"We are extremely surprised by the complaint of NK Maribor," Rangers said. "We have at all times acted with due regard to the requirements of the Uefa Europa League regulations and we are confident that the complaint of NK Maribor will be rejected by Uefa."

 

Bocanegra was not the only new Rangers player who was ineligible at Motherwell on work-permit grounds. Matt McKay, an Australian midfielder, is still waiting for his to be issued but another American, the midfielder Alejandro Bedoya, received his visa on Tuesday.

 

Although Bedoya is likely to appear against Aberdeen on Sunday, McKay will have to wait longer to make his debut. Australia's matches against Thailand and Saudi Arabia mean he is likely to remain in his home country for the time being.

 

"It's great that Alejandro will be with us this week but Matt will be different," said the Rangers manager Ally McCoist. "He might get his visa before the end of the week but we have to take in to account that he has international responsibilities the following week.

 

"I'm not sure it would be a good idea for him to fly across the world then back again in the space of three or four days."

 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/aug/23/rangers-uefa-maribor-carlos-bocanegra?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+theguardian%2Ffootball%2Frss+%28Football%29

[djbroxybear 0]

Iv'e heard Phil (the murderer) was sending letters of to Uefa and his puppets followed, Rangers have done no wrong lazy journalism at straw clutching.

[GovanAllan 0]

They had to have objection in 24hrs after the game and that time limit is set in stone so no case to answer. Another great fail by Phil the murder mcf#+ckup and again he shows he hates us more than he loves yahoo fc.

[Zappa 0]

The record are running with the back page headline 'KICK GERS OUT OF EUROPE'. Image is from FF.

 

[Craigy1881 79]

You know something the Scottish press need to take a long hard look at themselves. In the run up to such a big game for us and Scottish football they do not need to be sensationalising with such a retarded headline.

 

No way rangers will be kicked out for this. Even the sfa said last week he was cleared to play. Bloody joke.

[chilledbear 16]

Kick rhecord out of ibrox

[bluebear54 0]

This is all quite surreal. You would almost think that the Record wants us out of Europe.

Did Sellik lose at the weekend or something, or are they just odds on to go out of Europe tomorrow?

Talk about deflection - with a twist of bitters.

What's the rest of the press saying? Been website OK actually, as is Metro.

[der Berliner 3,281]

Can this individual hiding in Ireland be sued for bringing the name of the club into disrepute?

 

IMHO, we should point this action out to UEFA, as they already fell to the Timothy-prompted and instigated FARE farce. There sure are malicious forces at work who try to bring everything remotely against our club to UEFA's attention. They should be warned about this, and its sources.

[Frankie 8,182]

I'm sure UEFA will know by now the problems Rangers are facing with regard to campaigns led by so called 'journalists'.

 

Unfortunately, there's not much we can do when such people transfer their hate to others who are easily misled or those that make money out of the associated sensationalism and negativity. No crime is being committed as far as I can see so all Rangers can do is attempt to be pro-active in how they deal with such bitter individuals.