UEFA investigate Rae incident

Alex Rae is facing disciplinary action after UEFA confirmed they are to launch an investigation into an ugly incident involving the Rangers midfielder against CSKA Moscow.

Rae sparked a brawl after kicking the grounded Serghei Dadu in the head during his side’s 2-1 Champions League qualifying defeat to the Russian outfit.

Dutch referee Jan Wegereef did not see the incident and despite Rae and manager Alex McLeish’s pleas of innocence, CSKA coach Valeriy Gazzayef called for UEFA officials to take swift action.

His comments have been noted by European football’s governing body and now the former Wolves man is facing a fine and possible ban from the return leg at Ibrox in a fortnight.

A UEFA spokesperson told the Press Association: “We are aware of the incident involving Alex Rae and we will be investigating it.

“At the moment we don’t have the referee’s report but we will be looking at the incident anyway. The disciplinary department know all about it and are onto it already.”

The spokesman revealed UEFA could make a further statement on the incident later today.

Rae had claimed: “The ball was actually there and he put his head down between my foot and the ball.

“It looked worse than it was, without a doubt. No action was taken by the referee.”

The CSKA coach revealed that Rae's actions had left his player concussed after the match.

Gazzayev said: “I was close to the incident and it was a kick in the head.

“The referee’s view was blocked by other players and I am sure he would have made the right decision if he had seen it.

“There was a UEFA observer and delegate at the game though and I’ll leave the decision to them.

“Our player was left injured and suffering from concussion.

“We will have to bear in mind their rough challenges for the second leg.”

But Rae remained unrepentant after the unsavoury flash-point in his first European game for his new club and went as far as to accuse the victim of dangerous play.

“If anything it was dangerous play from him.

“Their bench made a lot of it but the fact that the ref took no action shows what the situation really is.”

A Rae ban would be a huge blow to Rangers but McLeish gave the player his backing despite the grim television pictures.

He said: “The ball was on the ground when Alex attempted to kick it and it just so happened that there was a Moscow player lying beside it.

“I think that’s why they were upset because they thought Alex shouldn’t have gone for the ball.”