UEFA investigate Maribor complaint over Bocanegra
The American skipper signed for Rangers late last Wednesday then made his debut against Maribor in last week’s Europa League tie which Rangers lost 2-0.
Bocanegra was registered as a wild card signing with Rangers submitting his registration to UEFA with the backing of the SFA.
UEFA regulations state that to be eligible a player must be able to play in his club’s domestic competitions at the same time as the Europa League tie. Bocanegra was unable to play for Rangers at Motherwell on Sunday because he didn’t have a visa to work in the UK.
The interpretation of the rule will test UEFA to the full- in football terms Bocanegra’s registration appeared to have been transferred from St Etienne to Rangers but had the first leg match been played in Scotland Bocanegra would have been unable to play/work in the UK.
Breaking the news late this afternoon a UEFA spokesperson told the stv website: “UEFA can confirm that the club NK Maribor has sent a protest to UEFA following the UEFA Europa League Play-off match NK Maribor vs Rangers FC played on 18 August 2011 in Maribor.”
Maribor spokesman Zeljko Latin said: “How can the player have the right to play in the European competition on the Thursday night but didn’t have clearance to play for Rangers in a domestic match in Scotland three days later?
“We are now awaiting a decision from Uefa. It’s hard to say when they will make that decision. We are mentally preparing for the match as if it is 2-1.”
A decision on the case is expected tomorrow or at the latest before the return leg on Thursday. If the appeal is upheld Rangers could have the result changed to a 3-0 defeat or be thrown out of the competition.
There could also be a punishment for the SFA if they are found to have processed a registration without all the correct documentation.
It promises to be a busy time for the UEFA Disciplinary Committee who als have to give a ruling on players used by Sion against Celtic who are subject to a FIFA ban.
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