According to Ibrox News, Dujon Sterling could be suspended for a long time in the Europa League for his remarks on social media following Rangers’ victory against OGC Nice on Thursday.
Following the 4-1 Europa League victory in France, the 25-year-old claimed on his personal X account that referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea was “desperate” to award the Ligue 1 team a penalty.
Before evaluating three distinct instances on the pitchside monitor, Bengoetxea gave Nice a penalty in the sixth minute of the match at the Allianz Riviera.
Before reversing his initial ruling, the 38-year-old Spanish referee considered possible handballs by John Souttar and Sterling as well as a possible foul by Connor Barron.
Sterling, a Rangers star, faces UEFA sanctions following a late-night post.
A source familiar with the matter has now informed Ibrox News that UEFA officials were informed of Sterling’s nocturnal message in their Nice hotel on Friday morning (November 29).
Keith Hackett, a former Premier League and FIFA referee, has previously told Ibrox News that Sterling’s social media remarks put him at “extreme risk” of receiving a three-match suspension.
Though it’s very probable that the Rangers star is merely kidding, Sterling’s remarks could be interpreted as casting doubt on Bengoetxea’s moral character.
The former Chelsea player would miss the Gers’ home match against Tottenham on December 12, their away game against Manchester United at Old Trafford on January 23, and their final league stage match against Union Saint-Gilloise at Ibrox on January 30 if he receives a three-game UEFA ban.
This season, Sterling has made 19 appearances for the Light Blues in all competitions, mostly at a right-back or in the middle of Philippe Clement’s midfield.
He helped Mohamed Diomande score in Thursday night’s thrilling victory over Nice before James Tavernier replaced him in the 62nd minute.
