Rangers fine Ricksen

[Azz]

Rangers have fined controversial Dutchman Fernando Ricksen £10,000 for elbowing Hibernian's Derek Riordan during Thursday's CIS Cup semi-final.
A Scottish Football Association review panel will meet this week to decide whether Ricksen has a case to answer.

But Rangers have pre-empted that and manager Alex McLeish said: "I have reviewed this matter internally.

"And Fernando knows I will not tolerate Rangers players behaving in an inappropriate manner."

While Ricksen's challenge on Riordan was missed by the referee, the SFA review panel could decide that he has a case to answer to their disciplinary committee.

The committee will sit on 16 March, which means that Ricksen is free to face Celtic in the Scottish Cup quarter-final nine days earlier.

"In accordance with club rules, the player will be fined £10,000 and the money will be donated directly to the Rangers Charity Foundation for the benefit of its nominated charities," said McLeish.

"I am satisfied we have dealt with this matter appropriately."

The incident took place during the CIS Insurance Cup semi final, which Hibs went on to win on penalties.

Riordan had refused to point the finger of blame at Ricksen and made light of the incident.

"I just seemed to get barged into but I was alright," said the young striker.

"I couldn't tell you if it was deliberate or not - it wasn't really that bad. It's football and you just need to get on with it."

Ricksen was banned for two games by the SFA over an incident involving Darren Young after television cameras caught him kicking out at the Dons' player in a league match in November 2000.

I think we should have waited for the SFA to do something as now they may well decide to ban and fine him on top of what we've done. Why prejudice the situation by already finding him guilty?

[Ross]

I think we should have let the SFA deal with it too, The fans are wanting that extra bit of aggresion to play for the shirt although not as much as Ricksen showed

[Azz]

Ricksen isn't the player he was since he calmed down. If we get the old Ricksen back, a few red cards will be worth it in the long run.