Keith Hackett believes Vaclav Cerny deserved at least a caution after a “reckless” incident during Rangers’ Europa League match against Fenerbahce on Thursday.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official confidentially informed Football Insider that the referee’s position to witness the offense was insufficient to warrant action.
Barry Ferguson’s side led by two goals going into the second leg, and Cerny had several early chances on March 13 to put even more distance between the two teams.
However, the Light Blues failed to capitalize on their opportunities, allowing Jose Mourinho’s side to retake the lead when Sebastian Szymanski shot past Jack Butland with seconds remaining in the first half.
The Poland international haunted the Gers once more in the second half, equal the aggregate score with 17 minutes of normal time remaining while under intense pressure from Fenerbahce.
However, Fenerbahce were unable to capitalize, and the game went to extra time and penalty kicks, where Butland emerged victorious as Ibrox exploded from the rafters.
Vaclav Cerny might have seen red against Fenerbahce.
Hackett slammed a controversial decision just moments before, saying Fenerbahce had a “right to feel aggrieved” against Rangers after Anderson Talisca was booked for simulation despite clear contact from Jefte.
Then, the Gers attacker made contact with the face of one of his opponents with a swinging arm, leaving the player down in a heap on the Ibrox turf, and Cerny was saved by another of the referee’s mistakes.
The 23-year-old has picked up many cautions since coming in Glasgow last summer, frequently being overly zealous when it comes to gaining back possession, and that looks to have occurred again.
Cerny was crucial for Rangers in the first leg, scoring twice in Turkey before returning home for the second leg, but he may have been fortunate to remain on the field following the incident in question.
Rangers are rescued from another refereeing error at Ibrox.
Speaking to Football Insider about Cerny’s possible offense, the former referee stated:
“The player intentionally utilized his flailing arm in a dangerous manner, and the referee was not in a good position to witness the offense.
“This was a reckless act and the minimum sanction of a yellow card should have been given to the player.”
With the Scottish Premiership championship no longer a possibility for the Light Blues, their Europa League campaign was the only thing keeping the fans interested at Ibrox, and it is still very much alive.
