Bruno Alves slams Motherwell for unacceptable behaviour in semi-final
Rangers defender Bruno Alves claimed Motherwell's tactics were "not football" as he argued the victorious Steelmen were allowed to get away with too much physicality in their Betfred Cup semi-final.
Last updated 22nd Oct 2017
Both managers were sent to the stand following a touchline clash after Motherwell striker Ryan Bowman caught Fabio Cardoso with an arm for the second time in his team's 2-0 victory.
Bowman was booked early on but the second incident went unpunished as the Portuguese defender went off with a bloody nose.
Double goalscorer Louis Moult was also bloodied by Cardoso's arm and Alves escaped a card of any sort after kicking out at the same player late on.
Steven McLean handed out four yellow cards to Motherwell and two to Rangers and Alves claimed his side were not given enough protection.
The Portugal international said: "I don't like to speak too much about referees but he cannot allow this kind of behaviour, because this is too much. It happened too many times. I am really concerned about this kind of behaviour.
"This is not football. I also like physical contact and to play hard but this was too much.
"The first action in the game was an elbow in the face of Fabio. After this anything can happen. It can happen but he opened Fabio's mouth. It's not acceptable.
"I don't like to find excuses for why we lost but I am really disappointed about this."
With his team trailing 2-0, Alves kicked out at Moult on the ground before the Motherwell striker and Rangers substitute Eduardo Herrera were booked following a melee.
The 35-year-old said: "This is what happens when he lets this kind of behaviour happen from the beginning. You start not playing football and play other things.
"I'm sad because we lost the game but I'm sad about what happened. Fabio broke his nose. What more can happen?
"All the game I'm trying to jump for balls and someone is trying to block me. Sometimes you get tired of this and you start to react. It's not good for football."
Alves, who was sent off in a friendly against England in 2016 after catching Harry Kane in the head with a flying tackle and has received red cards in major derbies in Portugal, Russia and Turkey, added: "In the past I have done some of the same kind of behaviour but I always take the consequence.
"We didn't play well but this cannot happen. We need to protect our players.
"They deserved it because they scored two goals and defended quite well, I'm just frustrated, I don't think this behaviour is acceptable.