Football
9y

Bilel Mohsni ban extended to 7 matches for Motherwell-Rangers brawl

Former Rangers defender Bilel Mohsni has received an additional three-game ban following his actions against Motherwell -- taking his total suspension to seven matches.

The Tunisia international was given a four-game punishment after he was red carded for punching and kicking Well striker Lee Erwin in the seconds after Gers' humiliating 6-1 aggregate playoff final defeat.

But now Scottish Football Association disciplinary bosses have increased his ban after finding him guilty of two further offences during a Hampden hearing.

Mohsni reacted with fury after Erwin, who has since signed for Leeds, pushed him in the back after his offer of a handshake had been snubbed following the crucial playoff decider on May 31.

The Gers defender, who has been released after his contract expired, kicked his opponent before planting a punch into Erwin's face, sparking a mass brawl.

The former Southend player even tried to confront Erwin again as both players left the stadium after the game. Referee Craig Thomson gave Mohsni a red card in the tunnel after he had been rushed off the field.

But while the SFA issued him with a four-game ban for the offences witnessed by the match official, they also charged him with "committing excessive misconduct" in relation to "prolonged" acts of violent conduct.

He was found guilty of kicking Erwin and punching him on the face, but a third charge that claimed he had "struggled violently" with Well's Fraser Kerr was deleted. Mohsni's agent has already admitted his player's career in the UK is "over."

And his attempts to kick-start his career abroad will be delayed unless he moves to a country which does not subscribe to the usual conditions of registration, including the application of bans issued in foreign competitions.

Meanwhile, the SFA has also rejected Newcastle owner Mike Ashley's appeal against his conviction for breaching "dual ownership" rules with his Ibrox involvement.

However, Hampden chiefs did reduce the punishment levied against the Sports Direct tycoon -- recently ranked the world's 318th richest man -- from £7,500 to £1,000.

Ashley currently holds an 8.92 percent stake in Gers and was represented on the club's board by right-hand men Derek Llambias and Barry Leach until March, when they were forced out by new chairman Dave King.

The club still owe Ashley £5 million from a loan taken out in January but have turned down his recent demand to have it repaid immediately.

Responding to Ashley's appeal, the SFA's Judicial Panel confirmed: "The Appeal was rejected. However, having regard to all the circumstances, the Tribunal consider the appropriate sanction to be at the entry point for top-end breaches and impose a fine of £1000."

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