Rangers see Whittaker’s ban appeal dismissed

Rangers defender Steven Whittaker has lost his appeal against a three-match European ban.

The sanctions were imposed by Uefa after he picked up a red card in a Champions League qualifier against Malmo on 3 August. The Scottish champions felt the punishment was excessive but the appeal was dismissed yesterday by Uefa’s Appeals Body after hearing the case in Switzerland.

Whittaker was dismissed for throwing the ball at opponent Jimmy Durmaz as Rangers were held to a 1-1 draw on the night in Sweden and crashed out of the competition 2-1 on aggregate.

The versatile former Hibs player, who has not played since that game with a broken toe, will miss this Thursday’s Europa League play-off second leg against Maribor at Ibrox regardless of his fitness, as well as the club’s next European tie.

Yesterday’s decision has been described as “disappointing” and “unfair” by Rangers, who believe his red card while playing for Scotland against Spain in October 2010 was taken into account when hearing the appeal. A statement on the club’s official website said: “Rangers have been disappointed to learn Uefa has upheld their three-match ban imposed on Steven Whittaker for his sending off against Malmo in the Champions League on 3 August.

“The club appealed the original decision as it felt a punishment of three matches was excessive but Uefa’s Appeals Body heard the case in Switzerland this afternoon and dismissed it. The club understands Whittaker’s sending off for Scotland in a match against Spain at Hampden in October 2010 – for two yellow card offences – was also taken into account today.

“Rangers find this disappointing and believe it is unfair as the player has enjoyed a good disciplinary record throughout his career with Hibernian, at Ibrox and with the national side.”

Meanwhile, new Rangers signing Carlos Bocanegra has been given the green-light to join up with the rest of his team-mates after obtaining a visa in Paris yesterday.

The 32-year-old defender made his debut for Rangers in last week’s Europa League play-off against Maribor in Slovenia, just hours after completing his move from French side St Etienne. However, he was unable to feature in Sunday’s win at Motherwell because he did not have a visa.

Fellow American Alejandro Bedoya was in a similar situation and he hopes to obtain his own visa in Stockholm in the next 24 hours. Bocanegra now looks set to feature in this week’s second leg against Maribor at Ibrox.

However, Bedoya was not registered for the European competition and will be looking to make his debut in the weekend SPL clash with Aberdeen instead.