Police Scotland have announced they are to review the disgraceful scenes at the end of Rangers’ Play-Off Final second leg defeat to Motherwell at Fir Park, resulting in red cards for Ibrox defender Bilel Mohsni and Motherwell players Lee Erwin and Fraser Kerr.
TV pictures showed Mohsni kicking Erwin and then punching him in the head after the Motherwell striker had pushed him in the back at the final whistle following an angry exchange of words between the pair.
There then followed scuffles between players on the park as Motherwell fans streamed on to the pitch to celebrate their club’s 3-0 victory, which ensured a 6-1 aggregate win for the Steelmen.
The aggro is understood to have continued in the tunnel afterwards – and even saw Mohsni waiting to confront Erwin outside the ground afterwards.
And Assistant Chief Constable Bernard Higgins said: ’Police Scotland will conduct a full review of the circumstances and liaise with the appropriate partners, and decide how best to take the matter forward over the coming days.’
The result means that Motherwell will stay in the Scottish Premiership, the top tier of Scottish football, whereas fallen giants Rangers, of Glasgow, who have won more domestic league titles and trebles than any other football club in the world and who were the first British club to reach a major European final, will remain for at least another season in Scottish football's second tier, the Scottish Championship, in which they finished third this season, behind the two Edinburgh clubs Hibernian and Hearts.
Mayhem in Motherwell: Police probe disgraceful scenes as Rangers defender sparks wild brawl after lashing out at opponent as his team crash in Scottish play-offs
Bilel Mohsni appeared to kick out at Lee Erwin and punch him in the head
Players from both sides then clashed as a brawl broke out on the pitch
Rangers lost 3-0 to Motherwell on Sunday, ending their hopes of promotion
Police say they will review the incidents at Fir Park
By George Grant For Mailonline
1 June 2015
Daily Mail
Police Scotland have announced they are to review the disgraceful scenes at the end of Rangers’ Play-Off Final defeat to Motherwell at Fir Park, resulting in red cards for Ibrox defender Bilel Mohsni and Motherwell players Lee Erwin and Fraser Kerr.
TV pictures showed Mohsni kicking Erwin and then punching him in the head after the Motherwell striker had pushed him in the back at the final whistle following an angry exchange of words between the pair.
There then followed scuffles between players on the park as Motherwell fans streamed on to the pitch to celebrate their club’s 3-0 victory, which ensured a 6-1 aggregate win for the Steelmen.
Mohsni reacted furiously after being pushed in the back by Erwin after the pair had an angry exchange after the match which saw Motherwell remain in the Scottish Premiership and once-mighty Rangers condemned to at least one more season in the Scottish Championship
Erwin (left) gives an interview after the clash at the end of a game his team won 3-0 against Rangers
Mohsni also kicked out at Irwin from behind as he walked away from pushing him in the back
Mohsni first kicked out at Erwin before then throwing a punch at him and sparking an angry brawl
Mohsni (second left) had to be held back in the ensuing clash between Motherwell and Rangers players
Mohsni (centre) appeared to kick and punch Irwin, after the Motherwell man pushed him on the pitch
The aggro is understood to have continued in the tunnel afterwards – and even saw Mohsni waiting to confront Erwin outside the ground afterwards.
And Assistant Chief Constable Bernard Higgins said: ’Police Scotland will conduct a full review of the circumstances and liaise with the appropriate partners, and decide how best to take the matter forward over the coming days.’
Despite the result, which sees Rangers condemned to another season in the Championship and Motherwell maintain their place in the top flight, the match will be remembered for the appalling scenes at the end which will see both clubs heavily censured by the SFA.
Erwin said: ‘I tried to shake Mohsni’s hand to wish him all the best but he told me to ‘f*** off’. I pushed him away and he reacted badly.
A player at a club at that level shouldn’t be acting like that. It’s embarrassing for him and the club. But I wish him all the best.’
Later on, Erwin took to social media to tweet: ‘What a day. Great result and performance from the boys. I thought the boxing was on last night but? #embarrassing.’
Erwin also took the opportunity to stick the boot into Rangers about their team’s performance in the play-off final defeat.
The clash with Mohsni (centre) and the Motherwell players sparked ugly scenes at the end of the game
The clash between Erwin of Motherwell and Mohsni of Rangers led to a brawl between the two teams
Mohsni (centre) appeared to try and headbutt a Motherwell player in the clashes that occured
Asked if Motherwell deserved to stay up, he said: ‘Yes, we battered them – battered them! We were a class above them. I grew up supporting Rangers as a young boy but Rangers can wait their turn.’
The trouble kicked off when Erwin pushed Mohsni after his offer of a handshake was refused. But the Tunisian defender reacted with fury, swinging punches and kicks as players from both teams rushed in.
It was confirmed after calm had been restored that Mohsni, Erwin and unused Well sub Fraser Kerr were sent off in the tunnel.
Police horses had to come on the park at Fir Park at the end as jubilant Motherwell supporters goaded their Ibrox rivals in the stands.
It’s also understood that Mohsni had to be restrained from leaving the Rangers bus afterwards to have another confrontation with Erwin.
Mohsni is led away from the Fir Park pitch after losing his temper after Rangers lost 3-0 to Motherwell at Motherwell's Fur Park
Mohsni (centre) continued to act violently after the initial clash with Erwin of Motherwell at Fir Park
The ugly scenes marred Motherwell's 3-0 win over Rangers, which ended their hopes of gaining promotion
Players and coaching staff try to hold a furious Mohsni back after the Rangers man loses his temper
The SPFL may also take action against Motherwell after a stormy afternoon when Rangers skipper Lee McCulloch was struck on the face by a supporters’ flag while he was on the touchline during the match, and after a flare was thrown on to the field after the home side’s first goal scored by Marvin Johnson.
Both of Motherwell’s first two goals, from Johnson and Lionel Ainsworth, took wicked deflections off Ranger defender Marius Zaliukas but Ibrox keeper Cammy Bell flapped horribly at the first one when he should have saved.
John Sutton scored the third from the penalty spot as Motherwell survived 30 years unbroken in the top flight.
It’s the ugly scenes which broke out afterwards however that will remain in the memory.
Police and stewards were sent to prevent home fans getting on to the pitch at the final whistle
Plenty did make it on to the Fir Park playing surface and made their way towards the Rangers support
Mounted police were needed as fans invaded the pitch after Motherwell's victory
It is understood that Mohsni had to be restrained from leaving the Rangers bus afterwards to get at Erwin
Read more: Bilel Mohsni kicks and punches Motherwell man Lee Erwin in ugly scenes after Rangers' play-off hopes are ended in 3-0 defeat | Daily Mail Online
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