Rangers: Mohsni Actions "Unacceptable"

Pic: Jeff holmes

Rangers have slammed Bilel Mohsni for his Motherwell meltdown - but admit they are now powerless to punish him.

The Tunisia international sparked a mass brawl following the full-time whistle at the Scottish Premiership play-off final at Fir Park when he kicked and punched Motherwell's Lee Erwin.

The 27-year-old is out of contract and Rangers boss Stuart McCall confirmed after the match, which the visitors lost 3-0 to suffer a 6-1 aggregate defeat, he would be kicked out of Ibrox following his shock assault.

But club chiefs say they would have taken the matter - which is now being examined by police - further had his deal not lapsed.

The Scottish Football Association is also understood to be examining whether they can take action now that his Ibrox stint has ended. In a statement, the Glasgow outfit said: Rangers Football Club will co-operate fully with investigations following the disgraceful scenes at the Motherwell game yesterday.

Bilel Mohsni's behaviour was completely unacceptable and had his contract not now expired, the club would have started disciplinary proceedings.''

The incredible Fir Park bust-up is not Mohsni's first brush with trouble since signing for Gers in the summer of 2013.

He was sent off in a pre-season friendly with Derby last year after head-butting Scotland striker Chris Martin.

Now his Paris-based agent admits the former Southend player's career in British football is over''.

Mohsni's representative - who has asked not to be named - said: He won't be staying at Rangers after that but I can't tell you where he is going to end up because I don't know. But he will leave the country, that's for sure now."

Do I worry that this will put other clubs off taking a chance on him? The clubs in the UK, yes. Abroad is a bit different but his reputation in the UK has been altered now."

His career in Britain is over. But that is the way it is.''

Mohsni's violent reaction was triggered when Erwin shoved the former Southend player after his offer of a handshake had been refused.

Police Scotland say it is now conducting a full review of the circumstances'' of Sunday's shocking scenes but the player's agent claims Erwin must take his share of the blame.

I had a quick few words with him (Mohsni) yesterday after the game and we have exchanged messages,'' said the agent.I've seen the incident and it is clear he has made a mistake. His reaction was wrong - there is no doubt about that."

But I don't see any reason for the other guy to taunt him. It was a bit stupid. They had won the game. There was no point pushing Bilel. Just leave it."

Bilel has lost the game, then the guy has pushed him from behind. What was he expecting?"

You can't forgive the reaction of Bilel but what should he have done? Obviously it has happened to Bilel which is unfortunate, but if it happened to somebody else, what would they have done?"

I fear for the boy Mohsni because it was not an appropriate reaction."

But the frustration of the last few months of the season, the frustration of the defeat on top of the boy coming and pushing him in the back and you get what we saw yesterday.''

He added: For the people who know Bilel off the pitch, he is a very nice boy. But it is difficult to know what goes on in his mind sometimes."

He has got to be able to deal with his frustration better. That's his problem. I've known him for many years. The potential is there, the quality is there. But he can switch off at times."

Bilel regrets his reaction but he is an uncompromising and very straightforward man. He sometimes pays for that."

He really wanted to win promotion and the frustration is huge. He also thinks he could have contributed more. He is devastated just now. Meanwhile, Rangers have praised their band of 1,500 followers for showingrestraint'' at Fir Park after sections of the home support spilled onto the pitch after the final whistle."

Hundreds of Motherwell fans gathered in front of the South Stand where the Gers faithful were housed to goad them.

The Rangers statement added: The club will also assist with any investigation into the behaviour of Motherwell supporters and we would like to thank the Rangers fans who were excellent in showing admirable restraint despite severe provocation.''