Sky Sports journo: Rangers star 'almost certainly' set for UEFA ban after incident

Dujon Sterling will “almost certainly” be banned for his comments about referee Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea after Rangers’ Europa League win over OGC Nice, according to Dan Bardell.

Philippe Clement’s men won 4-1 away in the south of France but when the game was goalless in the sixth minute, Bengoetxea pointed to the spot and awarded Nice a penalty kick.

After reviewing two possible handballs by John Souttar and Sterling and a potential foul by Connor Barron on the pitchside monitor, the Spanish referee eventually overturned his decision.

Just after midnight on 29 November, Sterling posted a message on X suggesting that Bengoetxea was “desperate” to award Nice a penalty.

Sky Sports and talkSPORT journalist Bardell believes Sterling’s post is likely to land him in hot water with UEFA.

Speaking exclusively to Ibrox News, Bardell said: “You can’t be posting stuff like that on social media. He’ll almost certainly get a ban for that.

“I don’t know why Sterling would do that because he’s just asking for trouble. You are never going to get away with that on social media so he’ll be heading for a ban for certain.

“Rangers are still going to be buzzing with the result, it won’t take the shine off it.

“But it’s an ill-advised thing to do for sure.“

Dujon Sterling at risk of receiving Rangers ban

The Englishman put in a positive performance against the French side before being replaced by James Tavernier but may be at risk of not playing in Europe again this season.

Philippe Clement’s side have three Europa League clashes remaining this season and if they don’t earn a playoff spot at least, that will be it for the season.

A three-match ban would rule Sterling out of the rest of the Europa League league stage campaign but he would only have himself to blame after a reckless social media post.

Any comments made towards match officials are typically unwise but questioning a referee’s integrity is a risky move which is unlikely to go unpunished.

In other Rangers news, the Light Blues have been given a Nathan Patterson reunion answer amid Everton development.

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